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"Two bowls of hot jelly stew, ready for your enjoyment." Pure Vanilla slid the wooden bowls onto the table, later taking his seat right across Shadow Milk.
He stirred the mixture, catching some of it in his spoon when he raised it. "I think this batch will be to your liking this time. Remember to blow on it, it's hot."
Shadow Milk scoffed, uncrossing his legs and picking up his spoon. "Ugh, as if. Can't be that hot." He gathered a big spoonful, and surely enough, once he placed it in his mouth, it burned his tongue. "Ow!" The remains splattered as he dropped the utensil.
"Oh my." Pure Vanilla placed his spoon back in the bowl, covering his mouth in shock. He frowned as he tilted his head. "This is why you should listen to me, Shadow Milk..."
"Shut up!" He waved his hand in front of his face, blowing air out of his mouth. "Just because you happen to be right doesn't mean you can have that uppity attitude!"
Pure Vanilla crossed his arms in front of his chest, tapping his chin. "Let's see, how can I make it better..."
Shadow Milk paused his movements, banging his fist on the table as his voice grew in volume. "Make it better?!" He reclined in his seat, crossing his legs and clutching his arms close to his chest. "I don't need your charity. Even so, you can heal! Why do you need to wonder that hard?"
Pure Vanilla's arms dropped, a smile gracing his face. "Healing's impersonal." His eyes parted slightly, his irises glistening as sunlight through the windows hit them. "I am trying to get to know you better, aren't I?"
The beast stared back at him, stunned. "I—Shut up! Look away!" Pure Vanilla chuckled, raising himself from his seat. "I know how to help."
As he circled the table, the seated cookie turned himself to face sideways. The ancient leaned over slightly. He gestured towards his own mouth. "Open your mouth."
Shadow Milk grimaced, pushing himself further back into his chair. "Ugh, why?"
The ancient's eyebrows furrowed, coming a bit closer in response. "Would you prefer your tongue to hurt?"
The beasts' gaze stayed locked on the other's for a moment, only shrugging when his eyes flicked away. "Whatever." He reluctantly opened his mouth, his body growing tenser.
Pure Vanilla cupped the side of his face. "Push your tongue out a bit more." Shadow Milk groaned, half-heartedly doing as he was instructed.
After a moment of fake-inspecting the burn, he pressed a gentle kiss upon his tongue. In that same moment, Shadow Milk pushed him away. His eyes were widened with a mix of annoyance and genuine bewilderment. "Woah woah woah! What was that?!"
Pure Vanilla laughed softly. "Haha, you've never heard of kissing something better before?"
The beast gripped the edges of his seat. "Not on the tongue! Don't you think that's..." His volume decreased. "...weird?"
The ancient shook his head. "I don't believe so." He closed the space in between them once more. "However, I'd like to continue. May I?"
[Denial]
Shadow Milk shuffled his seat away, further pushing it in near the table. "No! Sit back down and eat your food! I'll deal with it."
Pure Vanilla sighed in disappointment, silently walking back to his seat. "If you say so."
The rest of their meal continued in awkward silence, yet Shadow Milk had remembered to blow on his stew this time around.
[Acceptance]
Shadow Milk's eyes were directed towards the floor, his answer deeply hushed. "...I guess."
"Hm? What was that?"
The beast looked back up at him, his impatience growing. "Sure. Go ahead, whatever."
Warmth had again found its way on Pure Vanilla's face. "Lovely. Open your mouth again, please."
This time around, Shadow Milk had succeeded in keeping his mouth open, even though he shook just slightly with every peck.
His breath grazed the ancient's nose, making him tremble even further.
And, for just a moment, when he had finished tending to his burn, their tongues and lips had met right before Pure Vanilla had pulled away.
The act made Shadow Milk's cheeks flush, unable to move. Only able to stare at those eyes that revealed themselves, perfectly timed for this moment.
"Better?"
The beast nodded, his mouth still parted open.
"Wonderful."
Pure Vanilla had made it back to his seat, already gathering a spoonful.
As Shadow Milk stared at his bowl, he wondered if it was worth it to burn his tongue again.