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Dark Cacao hates it here.
The party that Pure Vanilla so graciously invited him to turned out to be a bad idea, of course. Dark Cacao can not stand parties, he loathes them with fervor. Every clank of a glass acting as a shot through his brain. The idle hum of the crowd makes him want to crawl in on himself and shrivel away.
Yet, he continues to stand. As stoic as ever, watching over the mass of people with his signature glare, cup in hand held tightly as he squeezes it to ground himself. He lets out a shuddering breath, the light from the chandeliers adorning the ceiling blinding his eyes.
The Cacaoian huffs, tugging at his clothing. The custom made suit (courtesy of Hollyberry’s extravagant taste) itched and tightened around him, threatening to choke him. Sighing, he brings his glass to his lips. Taking small tentative sips from his cup.
“Cacao! There you are!” A voice calls from beside him. Dark Cacao gives the voice a glance, finding the face he so adored. He forces a lop-sided smile. Nodding to his lover quietly, head to full to respond completely.
The healer delicately wraps an arm around his lovers. His closed eyes seemingly staring at his partner. “Why all the way over here love? Are you not enjoying the festivities?”
Dark Cacao gives a strong head shake, arm shaking around his lovers. Pure Vanilla frowns, “How come…? Is it not to your taste? Is it the food? The entertainment?” He questions, worrying, plaguing his mind. The taller of the two shakes his head, forcing himself to speak.
“No…No my love it’s nothing to do with…any of that.” He mutters, kissing his lover's hands softly. A pretty pink blush spreads across his angel's face as he giggles. “Then what is it dear Cacao?” He chuckles, running a hand through the dark hair of his love.
The Cacaoian huffs, eyes glancing around warily. “There are just far too many people here…my head pounds at the noise…” He whispers, looking at his lover weakly. “I…it makes me anxious…”
The Vanillian pauses, rubbing gentle circles into his love’s knuckles. “Come, follow me.” He says after a moment. Taking Cacao’s hand and leading him away. The recluse follows, lights shining at his eyes and voices shattering in his skull.
He quivers, hold on Vanilla tightening as he’s led through the crowd of people. Wishing he at least had his hood to pull up in a futile attempt to shield his eyes from the glaring brightness.
“Shh I know love, just keep following me.” Pure Vanilla whispers, tightening his grip on his lover in return. Cacao nods, trying his best to remain stoic and unwavering.
The shorter leads the duo through the ball room, and into a small corridor. Dark Cacao recognizes it as the monarch's chambers. Quietly sighing in relief as Pure Vanilla quickly unlocks the door.
Immediately upon entering Dark Cacao collapses onto the carpet, face smothered into the soft ground. Pure Vanilla chuckles, sitting besides his lover. “Was it truly that loud, my dear?” He asks softly, cupping his lover's face with his hands.
Dark Cacao nods, tears threatening to spill onto his lover's hands. “Thank you…”
Pure Vanilla smiles, kissing gently at Dark Cacao’s nose. “You’re welcome, Cacao bean…now, how about we get you a hot bath and some comfortable clothes?”
The stoic king nods silently, using his lover as support to help him up. The two make their way into Pure Vanilla’s bathroom. The owner of the castle humming as he turns on the water, steam wafting quickly out of the faucet.
“It may take a moment for the water to warm…” Pure Vanilla sighs, relaxing into his lover's arms. Dark Cacao nods, squinting a bit at the lights. The former, always observant, notices.
“Are you quite alright dear?” He asks, rubbing Dark Cacao’s tensed shoulders. “Bright…” The king whispers, burying his face in his lover’s neck. Pure Vanilla frowns, “The light still bothers you, love?”
Dark Cacao nods, tapping his fingers rhythmically on his partner's back. The monarch kisses his love’s forehead, “Let me dim the lights for you, Cacao bean…”
Pure Vanilla begins to walk away, before being grabbed by battle worn hands. Calloused and rough, “No…don’t go…” The dark king shudders, gripping onto Vanilla like he might disappear into a wisp of the night. The healer gives a sad smile, gently grabbing his partner’s hand as they walk together to snuff out the few candles laying around.
“Cacao…why haven’t you told me these kinds of things bother you so?” Pure Vanilla whispers, cupping his partner's face with his hands yet again. The warrior shudders.
“It…is usually not this bad.” He whispers, resting his hands against his lovers as he cups his battle worn face. “Just when I’m tired. I feel…powerless…when it happens.” He admits, eyes welling with tears he so valiantly tried to hide.
“Every noise is too loud. Every light is too bright, my clothes cling to my body and scratch me every wrong way. I just feel so disgusted and bothered by everything. And I do not know why-”
“Cacao…” Vanilla whispers, wiping away tears the king hadn’t known he was shedding. “You are changing…”
Dark Cacao looks at his hands, dark black claws sprouting out where his fingers had been. He scowls, eyes pure white as ivory tears leaked down his face in a steady stream. “I-I apologize…this...occurs when it gets…bad…” He warbles, voice shaky and distorted due to his transformation.
Pure Vanilla opens his blind eyes, mismatched irises staring longingly at Dark Cacao. “You are alright, love…nothing will hurt you.”
The king growls, claws digging into his own palms. “I know I am safe…I know I am safe with you. It’s just my body…I do not know why my eyes hurt or my ears ring…”
The monarch hums, rubbing soft circles into his lover's wet cheeks. “How long has this happened…?”
“My whole life Vanilla…I’ve been like this my whole life.” He grunts, eyes snapping shut in disdain. “Why I am broken in this way I do not know.”
“You are not broken, love.” Pure Vanilla whispers, running a hand through his lover's hair. “You had no control over how you were born, it is not your fault to be different.”
“You may have areas where you struggle more than others, but you have others where you absolutely shine.” He smiles, planting a gentle kiss to Dark Cacao’s lips. “Such as your love for weaponry…I adore listening to you talk of all your gadgets and equipment…”
The dark king’s face flushes, irises slowly forming back. Claws retracting into scarred skin. “Thank you…”
Pure Vanilla gives a soft smile, “Of course my love…now come. Disrobe and allow yourself to relax…”
“Will…you join me?” Cacao asks, hands slowly pulling away from Vanilla’s. The monarch chuckles, “Of course dear, I’d love to.”
The water had warmed by the time the two were finished speaking, the both of them slipping out of their clothes and into the steaming tub. Dark Cacao groans, allowing himself to fully relax. Pure Vanilla scoots next to him, water splashing softly around them.
Dark Cacao sits mesmerized by his lover, tan skin sun-kissed and freckled. Like the stars themselves planted butterfly kisses to his lover’s skin. Soft blond hair frames his face perfectly, making him look like a painting just for Dark Cacao cookie to admire.
“You’re staring, love~” Pure Vanilla chuckles, gently splashing water onto his lover. The king scoffs, gazing longingly anyways. “I can not help it…you’re beautiful…”
Pure Vanilla smiles softly, leaning against his partner's chest. “You really think so?” Dark Cacao nods, “Without a doubt in my mind. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever had the honor of laying my eyes upon.”
The monarch sighs, “You flatter me so…” Looking away from his lover. Shoulders dropping ever so slightly. Dark Cacao frowns, gazing at his lover. “Do you not think so?”
Vanilla gives a gentle shrug of his shoulders. “It’s just sometimes…I don’t think I look all that graceful…you and the others compliment me to no end…but I wonder if sometimes you just say it to be kind…” He whispers, looking back at his lover. "I feel as if...I must with hold myself food. To look...more appealing..." He admits, tears painting his face.
Dark Cacao shakes his head, wrapping his arms around his partner's smaller frame. “Well, I think you are the most beautiful, incredible person I’ve ever met. You are kind and selfless. Truly, Vanilla. You are gorgeous. Whether you gain or lose weight, it matters not to me. You are, will, and always will be beautiful.”
Tears dash Pure Vanilla’s eyelashes, he smiles, leaning his head on the strong chest of his lover. “Thank you…”
The dark king gives him a rare smile back, hiding in the crook of his neck. “You mean the world to me, Pure Vanilla cookie…”
“As do you, Dark Cacao cookie.”
I love you is left unsaid, as the two bask in each other’s warmth and love. Finally at peace in each other's warm embrace.