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The wind whipped vigorously from Shadow Milk's spot on the roof. He sat there, perched on the highest peak of the Spire— his Spire, staring into the moon.
He wasn't sulking, or anything like that. Shadow Milk was simply lazing about. The air was freezing, the leaves on the trees whirling around violently. He didn't pay any notice to the chill. After all, he was always a cold Cookie.
The roof was rough beneath his hands, the moon's gaze piercing, as if telling him to go back inside. She was never completely fond of him, either way. Shadow Milk made a face, before leaning back once more on his hands and enjoying the nightly chill.
It was only when he felt a knowing, longing pang from his soul jam that made him glance at the moon once more, before he opened a portal, returning to his room.
"Why did you leave?" Pure Vanilla asked tiredly upon his arrival. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his staff propped up against the wall, so the stare he was giving wasn't meant to be intimidating (it wouldn't have been, anyway). "I thought you were comfortable."
"I am," Shadow Milk replied, ignoring the first question.
"Where were you?"
"The roof."
Pure Vanilla gave him an intrigued look, while also confused. "...Why?"
"I dunno. Just wanted to enjoy the breeze."
"..." Pure Vanilla shifted to make space on the bed. "Come back to bed."
Shadow Milk flipped off his floating spell and stepped over to the bed, plopping down next to Pure Vanilla. As he sat down, their hands brushed for a moment.
"You're so much colder than usual," Pure Vanilla noted, grabbing hold of his hand.
"The air outside is getting colder."
"Hm..." Pure Vanilla hummed, using both of his hands to warm Shadow Milk up, even if only by a little.
Pure Vanilla was the opposite of Shadow Milk in many ways. For right now, the noticeable contrast was the heat difference. Pure Vanilla was always warm, like a campfire on a cold dark night. The Vanilla Kingdom's air was notably warmer, as the sun was always boring down on its residents. At the Spire of Deceit, once you enter its grounds the spell of eternal night covers the sky, painting its peaks with the beautiful light of the moon.
Which, obviously granted no warmth, causing the air inside and around the spire to be cold— icy, even.
So, Shadow Milk ran cold, and Pure Vanilla ran warm. Opposites. Made for each other.
Pure Vanilla could heat up Shadow Milk with his own warmth, keeping them both warm. It didn't take long for Shadow Milk to warm up, anyway. Pure Vanilla was a walking radiator.
"What's wrong with being cold?" Shadow Milk teasingly questioned.
"Ah, nothing, it's just unnatural to me," Pure Vanilla hurriedly said, shaking his head slightly.
Shadow Milk huffed in reply, falling backwards onto the bed. It was warm, most definitely because Pure Vanilla had been resting there prior to Shadow Milk's return. It was also as comfortable as always.
Pure Vanilla followed shortly after, his hair unintentionally draping over Shadow Milk's face, who scowled. "Nilla, you need to tie up your hair," he bit, lifting the golden hair off his face with one hand.
Pure Vanilla instantly retrieved his hair, sitting up once more— even though he just laid down,— carding his hands through his hair. He then threw it over his shoulder, the side not facing Shadow Milk.
"I apologize, Shadow Milk. I didn't realize it was so... huge."
"Still not used to your new awakened look yet, huh?"
Pure Vanilla flushed, slightly embarrassed. "No... not yet, at least. I'll get it eventually."
Shadow Milk gave him a once over, before spawning a scrunchie into existence and sitting up behind him. "You're so lucky I have long hair as well, and know how to tend to it. Give me your hair."
Pure Vanilla swished his hair backwards, allowing it to be in his reach. Shadow Milk held it in position for a low ponytail, and looped the hair through the scrunchie three times for good measure. After that he let it rest on his back, before dropping back down onto the bed himself. "There. Now your hair won't attack me."
Pure Vanilla chuckled into his hand, joining Shadow Milk laying down once more. "Again, I do apologize"
"Nilly, it's fine," Shadow Milk assured, stretching.
Pure Vanilla looked at him— well, not really looked, but you know— with light guilt, before yawning. "What time is it? It feels late," he asked, fumbling around for the blanket.
"Time for you," he said, pointing, "to get a watch," Shadow Milk smugly said, grabbing the blanket for Pure Vanilla and pulling it over them both.
"Shadow Milk."
"Fine— it's most likely around midnight."
Pure Vanilla blinked. "And you're not... tired?"
"Not really," he shrugged, grinning, "I could go to sleep right now, anyway, if I wanted to."
"Well that's good," Pure Vanilla huffed, snuggling deeper into the mattress. "C'mere."
Shadow Milk scooted closer, allowing himself to be embraced. He still had some unused mischief left, so when Shadow Milk returned the hug, he pulled Pure Vanilla into a sitting position and transported them both onto the roof.
"Ack—!" Pure Vanilla clung tighter against the chill, cringing against the harsh surface of the roof. He was only in his nightgown after all, it posed little protection against the shingles. "Shadow Milk!!"
"Whaaat?" Shadow Milk repositioned himself, hugging Pure Vanilla with one arm. The wind ravaged, causing Shadow Milk's hair to whip behind him. Pure Vanilla was unfazed— his hair was tied up.
"Bring us inside!" Pure Vanilla chattered, the chill was definitely getting to him. For a few moments, the wind stayed furious. Eventually it died down, allowing Pure Vanilla a moment to collect himself. "I thought we were going to sleep."
"We will, but isn't it nice up here? Look at the moon! She's gorgeous," Shadow Milk gave the moon a teasing wink.
Pure Vanilla blinked at him. "I can't see that far away."
Shadow Milk paused, before cackling, "Oh right!"
Pure Vanilla was unamused. "Please? It's uncomfortable up here," he shifted in pain, "the bed is much better."
"In a moment, please," Shadow Milk said, watching as the flowers swish around in the light breeze. Milkcrowns. He hated them.
Pure Vanilla nodded at his words, before the pair fell into silence. It was comforting, the moon bathing them in her soft light.
Shadow Milk glanced down at Pure Vanilla. His golden hair was glimmering in the light, appearing even more gold than it usually was. He was angelic, in a way. Shadow Milk hadn't meant to be staring, he really hadn't, but when he noticed he was, it was a little too late. When Shadow Milk finally registered his surroundings, Pure Vanilla was looking right at him as well— smiling softly.
"Maybe it is a little nice up here," Pure Vanilla mumbled.
"Mhm," Shadow Milk agreed, "isn't it beautiful?"
Though neither of them were admiring the sky.
He felt Pure Vanilla's hand cup his cheek, before being guided down to his lips. The kiss wasn't full of heat, wasn't desperate. Just soft— sweet and familiar. Shadow Milk slid his hands around Pure Vanilla's waist, pulling him tighter. For once, Pure Vanilla felt cold.
Once they broke apart, Pure Vanilla rested his head on Shadow Milk's shoulder, resting his face in the crook of his neck. Shadow Milk buried his face in Pure Vanilla's hair.
"Can we go back inside now?" Pure Vanilla asked, softer this time. A genuine question, tired and pleading.
Shadow Milk smiled, lifting his head. "Sure."
"Thank you."
Just as quickly as they arrived, they returned to their positions in bed. Only this time, they were closer. Shadow Milk shifted to rest his head on Pure Vanilla's chest, listening to the calming pulse of his heart.
Pure Vanilla pulled him up again, tangling their legs together and hugging him tightly around his waist. "You're freezing, please let me warm you."
Shadow Milk sighed in contentment, reciprocating the embrace once more and pressing his dough against Pure Vanilla's.
After a couple minutes, Shadow Milk felt himself starting to warm up, and he smiled.
When he turned to look up at Pure Vanilla, he saw that the latter had fallen asleep. His face was peaceful, his fingers still in Shadow Milk's hair from when he was idly playing with it earlier.
"...I love you," Shadow Milk spoke to an audience of no one.
He finally switched into his sleep clothes with a simple spell, his tiredness creeping in. His jester outfit wasn't comfortable for sleep at all, even if he removed his ruffles— which he had done.
The soul jams of Truth and Deceit rested on the bedside table. Shadow Milk made no move to grab his other half's gem, just simply resting his eyes. He could practically feel his past self yelling at him; to take back what's his, to stop getting so comfortable.
Shadow Milk never listened.
He didn't like his past self, anyway.
And as the sweet embrace of slumber finally took him, he felt no worry. Shadow Milk felt safe in Pure Vanilla's arms, like he would forevermore.
Until the end of time.