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“Burning Spice Cookie, you’ve been laying in bed for quite some time,” Golden Cheese Cookie’s voice spoke. “I suggest you put a start to your day soon.”
The Beast Cookie, hair messy from sleep, sighed, voice heavy and demotivated. He lied on his back, and stared blankly up at the ceiling. She did not receive a response.
Days like this were not uncommon, following Burning Spice’s rehabilitation journey. She found that underneath his fiery need for action and destruction, Burning Spice was incredibly depressed, and even more so (in a way that made her heart ache) a very nihilistic cookie. She realized it in passive moments at first, with his remarks of ‘nothing lasting forever’, and even some comments towards himself, with him going so far as to wonder what could destroy him. Maybe that was why he was so drawn to her in the first place, other than the obvious hunt for her soul jam. Perhaps there even more to it, something she hadn’t yet discovered.
They had been through this battle many moons. Every time he got like this, she tried new reasoning, new techniques. Somedays, it seemed they worked, only for the effects to fade the next morning, or a few days after.
Was she doing something wrong? Why couldn’t she make anything work?
Was she not enough for her other half?
Burning Spice eventually spoke, his voice dragging along as if it was tiring. “What does it matter. Soon the day will end, only for another one to arise, and the cycle will continue. Morning. Night. Morning. Night.” He scowled, pupils slit in annoyance. “There simply is no point.”
Golden Cheese Cookie frowned. It sorrowed her to see him that way, truly. For his mindset to be so stubbornly fixed, he must have learned it through many hardships, ones she still barely knew of. Burning Spice didn’t like to talk into much detail about his time as the Herald. She was still working to help him unpack heavy moments. Though, there were times, such as now, that she got a taste of the weight he carried. One in particular she didn’t think she could ever forget.
-
“Glorious, is it not?” Golden Cheese Cookie remarked.
Sunset had fallen on the Golden City. Cookies from across the landscape were tucking for the night, saying their goodbyes to friends and family. Laughter of children echoed through the city. Golden Cheese watched from above in her temple as the little cookies ran through adults’ legs and savored the last minutes of play before bed. She adored it. A fond smile settled across her face. Burning Spice accompanied her, though he had said nothing the entire time so far. Which was strange, somewhat. Suddenly aware of that fact, Golden Cheese turned her head to look at him.
His eyes, too, were fixated on the life down below. Though, it was not fondness that graced his features. Instead, he looked distant. His eyes held a weight to them, and his brow was pressed into a deep sadness, mixed with numb exhaustion. As if he had seen it all before.
She did not want to ask. She simply redirected her gaze back to the cookies below. Their laughter seemed distant.
-
“If you do not get up soon, you will likely perish.” She tried. It was dramatic, but necessary.
“Well, maybe I deserve to perish.” Burning Spice replied, his frown deepening.
Golden Cheese Cookie hesitated. “Burning Spice, don’t say that.”
He went on, as if she did not exist. “You should have crumbled me when you had the chance. Maybe then I would know peace.”
“You and I both know that is not right.” She hoped he knew. She hoped that his wish wasn’t truly to die.
He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned, pressing the palms of his hands to them.
“Pointless. All of it!” His voice rose. Golden Cheese did not flinch, and simply waited until he calmed down, even if just a little bit. She rubbed his forearm softly, and noted how his body relaxed ever so slightly.
“Look at me, darling.”
Shortly after he removed his hands from his face. His pupils dilated, but other than that he seemed just as distraught. Almost timid.
“What is it now? You’re using pet names.” He quirked a brow.
She ignored him, and climbed on top of the bed, above him, legs planted on both sides of his torso, arms moving to cradle his face.
“Don’t you see how this viewpoint troubles you?” Her eyes were full of deep, true sadness, and she hoped he could see it as clearly as she felt it. “You too, are one of my treasures, my dearest one. It hurts me to see you this way.”
Burning Spice’s eyes crinkled slightly. Not from happiness, but to try and prevent emotions from forming and slipping down his cheeks.
“I wish to help you, but…” she paused, averting her gaze before eventually pulling it back.
“I’m not sure how to.” The silence was bitter as the words weighed both of them down.
Burning Spice looked away and breathed out the slightest laugh, though it was anything but funny. His face showed it, however. His sadness that she longed to fix.
“It would be meaningless for you to try.”
There were no more words spoken in that moment. But Golden Cheese knew when she was wanted. He wasn’t going to ask. But his eyes said it all. He needed her there. She smiled sadly.
“Perhaps.” Her hand went to smooth out his hair, fingers detangling the strands in a slow, thorough motion. She admired how his eyes fluttered shut at the touch.
“But I shall not give up. Not now, not ever.” A kiss was pressed to his forehead, light and gentle, and with that a small haze of warmth spread across his cheeks. At every touch the Beast’s body seemed to sink further into relaxation. He was practically putty in her hands, and Golden Cheese loved him like that. When he would put his walls down and let her be there for him. It was the best feeling.
She leaned in and rested her forehead on his, relishing in the way Burning Spice reacted. He sighed wistfully, and brought his own hands up to play with her hair. For just a second, his eyes reopened just a crack so he could gaze up at her fondly. Golden Cheese Cookie smiled, and went to capture his lips in a kiss.
It was sweet and slow, slow in a way that seemed as if time had stopped completely. They were all that mattered in that moment, something she relished in.
When they pulled away (though Burning Spice was reluctant to end the kiss), his face was redder than before in a way that just made her want to kiss him even more. Golden Cheese traced over his lips, smirking.
“You really are adorable.”
Burning Spice frowned. “I am not.”
“Who are you to defy the Golden Sovereign’s declarations?” She teased, flicking his cheek. He swatted her hand away, though it was playful, and a smirk of his own grew on his face as he spoke. “I know you lack better judgement.”
Golden Cheese Cookie laughed lightly. “Oh, hush, you brute.” Her voice lowered as she drew her face closer to his to kiss him once more.