Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla awakens to someone clinging to his arm. He smiles warmly, leaning over to nuzzle against a familiar cheek… only to find it missing, replaced by cold pillow. “Shadow Milk? Or perhaps Custard?” He questions empty air, opening his eyes. He looks down to his arm, finding a small boy with wide eyes looking up at him. His clothes and skin are blue, his short white hair curling around his cheeks. He looks scared and small, tugging his sleeve a little.
“H-hello. I'm Blueberry Jam, sorry to w-wake you. I hope you don't mind I'm h-here.” Pure Vanilla stares down at the small boy, who looks so like his partner, and decides to just smile.
“It's quite alright. Mmm… do you know where Shadow Milk has gone?” He asks softly, carefully tugging him into his arms.
Blueberry Jam fidgets, nervous. “H-he… went away. He had a scary dream, and he wanted to hide, s-so he let me front today.”
Front? What does that mean?
Pure Vanilla's confusion must show, because he elaborates. “I'm part of his system. When someone… has a lot of bad stuff happen, they can sometimes break apart. His different forms that are around a lot are his different alternate identities. That's how Fount explained it to me.” He seems proud to have remembered, grinning now.
Hmm. I believe I read about this when I was young. Disassociative Identity Disorder. I had no clue he had it. Does that make me a poor partner?
A tiny hand rests on his cheek. “He didn't want you to know. He feels guilty, but… he trusts you now, so you get to meet me! …I hope that's okay.” He quickly adds, shy.
Pure Vanilla startles. “You can hear my thoughts as well?” He checks.
“Yep! All of us can, since he has that power.” He nods, snuggling up under his chin.
After a moment, he decides to hug him. “I see. Well, it's nice to meet you, Blueberry Jam. I'm sure you know already, but my name is Pure Vanilla.”
The boy nods again, smiling fondly. “He really likes you. You make him really happy, and he wants to marry you someday.”
He feels his face burn a bright gold, grinning a bit. “Really now? I see. Are you hungry?” No reason to not go with the flow. It's not like being rude or confused will give me him back. Besides, this is him, the version I'm used to or not.
Blueberry Jam lights up, nodding quickly. “Very. I could eat a whole plate of jelly burgers by myself!” He insists, crawling away to hop onto the floor. “C'mon ‘Nilly!” He grins, scurrying out the door. Pure Vanilla hurries after him, tugging his dress robe on as he goes.
Goodness he's quick. He watches Blueberry Jam dart between people and incredibly expensive artifacts, catching and correcting them as he must. People are eyeing him strangely, until he hears a high-pitched squeak in front of him. He makes his way to where Dark Cacao is standing, holding up the boy uncertainly. “Oh! Dark Cacao, thank you for catching him! I can't quite keep up in my old age, you see-”
“is this your child?” He questions bluntly, staring at Blueberry Jam with a mix of revulsion and anxiety. He's squirming in his grasp, looking a bit panicked.
Pure Vanilla quickly scoops him away, shaking his head. “Ah, no, not quite. Why do you look so… repulsed?” He's always quite liked Hollyberry’s son, as well as her granddaughter. Why would it be an issue if it was my son? As his friend fidgets uncomfortably, something clicks. Oh. He doesn't hate it being my child, he hates it being Shadow Milk's child with me.
He straightens. “I see. Regardless, no, he's not my son. I'm babysitting. Shadow Milk and I aren't ready for that responsibility, especially not before we've married. Is that a problem?” He questions, making sure to fix him with that stern glare he's known for since his awakening.
Dark Cacao seems to shrink a tad, shaking his head. “No problem at all. I was simply worried I missed some very important information. I'm glad that my capture of him was useful, and I was seeking you out to inform you that I'll be departing.” He dips his head, reaching to pat Blueberry Jam. “I apologize, small boy.”
He flinches a little, but quickly relaxes again, smiling at him. “It's okay! I'm Blueberry Jam, nice to meet you!” He chirps, grinning up at him.
Dark Cacao chuckles, ruffling his hair. “King Dark Cacao. An honor.” He relaxes considerably, hugging Pure Vanilla lightly with one arm, so as to avoid crushing him. “Farewell, friend. I shall see you again someday soon.”
He accepts the apology with grace, dipping his head in return as he hugs him back. Dark Cacao turns, taking his leave back home, as Pure Vanilla cradles Blueberry Jam a bit tighter. “I apologize for him. However, you need to be more careful, dear. People don't always watch their feet.” He reminds, carrying him the rest of the way to the kitchen.
He makes a happy coo at the affection, slipping out of his arms to sit on the counter. “So, what do we have?” He questions eagerly, staring at the fridge and cabinets.
“Whatever you'd like. I, however, am not the best chef, so simple would be preferable.” He chuckles awkwardly, settling against the counter.
“What about… scrambled eggs and toast? Oh! And maybe bacon!” He grins, bouncing slightly.
Pure Vanilla's panic must show, because one of the staff slowly approaches. “Actually, I just finished making a couple of bacon egg and cheese sandwiches. Would you like some?” She offers, giving them a proper curtsy.
“Oh, thank you very much! That sounds great! How long will it take you to fetch them?” He asks, offering a thankful smile.
“Ten minutes or so. I'll return.” She nods, turning to cook them in the back kitchens, hidden from the public eye.
He settles onto the counter with him, letting him crawl into his lap contently. He's so adorable. I wonder how much he knows about us… his question is answered almost immediately by him smiling happily. “He always seems happy in your lap, so I wanted to know what it's like. Hope it's not weird.”
He finds himself blushing again, but settles for asking him. “How much do you know about Shadow Milk and I?”
Blueberry Jam shrugs. “I know he really loves you, and that you two are together all the time. Sometimes Fount makes me look away when you two are together, and Lady Milk Crown covers my ears, but I don't mind. I know you two do silly stuff sometimes.” He shrugs, slumping his head against his stomach.
He tries and fails to stifle a squeak, nodding. “Y-yes, I love him dearly too. He's lovely, smart, sarcastic, just…” he hesitates, flushing deeply. “He's everything to me.” He mumbles, squeezing Blueberry Jam.
“I'm sure he'd love to hear that.” He grins, getting more comfortable.
The woman returns shortly, handing them the food. “There, took me a while to find them.” She offers as explanation, setting the sandwiches down next to them.
Blueberry Jam smiles brightly. “Thank you lady!” He chirps, taking his eagerly.
Pure Vanilla takes his own, giving her a thankful smile. “Thank you very much, Cake Cone.” He agrees, dipping his head. She smiles, nodding quickly and offering another curtsy before hurrying off.
The two of them eat in peace, before Blueberry Jam yawns heavily. “Mmm… I wanna take a nap.” He sighs, nuzzling his head against Pure Vanilla's stomach.
He nods, gently picking him up to carry him back to their room. He settles in with him, letting him press against him after he takes off his proper dress robes again. “There we go. Are you comfortable?” He checks, lightly petting his hand through his curly hair.
He nods, smiling up at him. “I get it now.” He sighs.
“Hmm? Get what?” Pure Vanilla questions, confused.
His smile gets wider. “I get why he says sleeping with you is easy. You're warm, protective, and you smell nice. Y'know, he sleeps better with you than he ever has, even before he was bad.” He curls up next to him like a cat, relaxing against him more.
Pure Vanilla grins, gently wrapping around him. “I see. That’s good to know, thank you. Goodnight Blueberry Jam.”
He hears him speak again, barely above a whisper. “Goodbye. I'll see you another day.” He knows deep down that he'll have Shadow Milk back soon, which makes him happy, even if he will miss the small boy.
Goodbye. He's asleep before he can even register, warmth and happiness in his heart.