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Shadow Milk quietly settles in, snuggling against Pure Vanilla’s pillow. He sighs heavily, feeling a bit lonely as he waits for him. He’s at some meeting with the other ancients, discussing his “betrayal” of letting Shadow Milk into his kingdom. I’m not that terrible! I mean… I did try and overtake the world, but still! If Pure Vanilla trusts me, why don’t they? He thinks to himself, boredly kicking his feet. “Ugh. It’s too quiet.” He mutters, slowly stretching. “Maybe I’ll go check on ‘Nilla’s stupid flowers. He insists they need love and care constantly.” He grumps, talking out loud like he usually does when no one’s around. He scurries off towards the greenhouse, surprised to find Pure Vanilla there.
He grins to himself, sneaking up behind him to grab his hips firmly. Pure Vanilla jumps, squirming away in a panic. “Shadow Milk! Oh goodness, you scared me!” He squints up at him a bit, his staff discarded off to the side, limiting his vision. Shadow Milk stares, recalling just how slim his hips felt, every protrusion poking his hands, then nods. “What more do you expect, ‘Nilly~? Of course I scared you!” He snorts, hugging his waist tightly. Pure Vanilla sighs, looking tired and dejected. “Meeting went phenomenal obviously!” He comments sarcastically, resting his chin on his shoulder. “They… were quite upset.” He mumbles, shoulders slumping. Shadow Milk sighs gently, holding him carefully and assessing just how many ribs he can feel through his skin. “Figures.” He shrugs, hoping his unbothered attitude will make him feel better.
To his surprise, it works. Pure Vanilla stares back at him for a second, then laughs softly, the slight sound shaking his entire body. “You truly don’t mind them hating you, do you?” He questions, amused. Shadow Milk gives a noncommittal sound. “Meh. Not really. They all seem stuffy and annoying anyway, apart from Hollyberry, but she’s intimidating.” He comments, just trying to make him feel better while studying his body. Witches… when did he get so thin? He frets, completely missing his response, which must be obvious because Pure Vanilla is staring at him with fond eyes, which he must’ve kept open. “Huh?” Shadow Milk questions bluntly. His partner laughs again, smiling up at him. “I said she’s only scary on the surface. Besides, don’t tell me the great Shadow Milk, Master of Deceit, is afraid of an old, motherly woman?” He taunts. Shadow Milk huffs. “Of course not! I said "intimidating”, not scary!” He snaps, though it’s rather lighthearted.
Shadow Milk decides to watch him from that point on, following him as he leaves the greenhouse and returns back to the castle. Instead of grabbing lunch, however, he heads to his room instead. Shadow Milk floats behind him, feeling anxious and worried. He clears his throat. “Aren't you forgetting something?” He asks flatly. Pure Vanilla looks confused, glancing back at him. “I don't believe so, no.” He shrugs. Shadow Milk stares, giving him another moment to think it over. Shadow Milk speaks up after a pause. “Lunch? Does that word ring a bell to you?” He asks flatly. Pure Vanilla nods quickly. “OH yes! Are you hungry?” He questions. Shadow Milk sighs heavily. “No, Silly Vanilly! Aren’t YOU hungry?” He murmurs. “Slightly I suppose.” He comments, allowing Shadow Milk to hug onto him. He half carries him downstairs to the kitchen, wanting to get some food in him. Pure Vanilla gasps after a moment. “You’re not in disguise!” He yelps, panicking. Shadow Milk shrugs. “The cat’s out of the bag with the other ancients, who cares if the normal citizens see me?”
Pure Vanilla looks anxious now, fidgeting with his hands. “M-maybe food can wait…” He mumbles. Damnit! I just wanted to reassure him, not stop him from eating again! Shadow Milk scolds himself, shaking his head a bit. “No, it’s alright! I mean… unless you’re worried about how it’ll reflect on you. Then umm… here!” He quickly poofs into his female disguise, shifting his arm to be more shepherding and less dragging. “There! Worst comes to worse, they think you have a girlfriend~!” He teases, taking him downstairs. Pure Vanilla seems more relaxed now, holding his arm more firmly than usual for support. Shadow Milk guides him to the kitchens for food, shooing the palace chefs away. “I’ll make your food, your highness~” he coos, expression coy. Pure Vanilla blushes slightly, sitting down on an unused corner of the counter. “N-no need to call me that, Shadow Milk…” He mumbles, trying his best to hide his flushed face. Shadow Milk tugs an apron onto his body, doing a little twirl for his partner. “You’re so cute when you blush~” he grins, looking at him happily. Pure Vanilla covers his face, looking heavily embarrassed.
Shadow Milk prances over, placing his hands on his hips. “Hey honey~ aren’t you so cute~” he snuggles him more, kissing his head softly. “What do you want for food?” He questions. “I would like… umm… a sandwich? Maybe some… egg? Pork? Lettuce? Mayo? That works.” He murmurs, trying not to shiver from shyness. Shadow Milk smirks, kissing him one more time before hurrying over to make him some food. He happily works, feeling Pure Vanilla’s eyes on him as he does. He grins over his shoulder, wiggling his eyebrows at him. “You staring at my ass? Cute~” he taunts, continuing his cooking. He hears Pure Vanilla sputter, feeling his gaze grow much more flushed. He doesn't deny, however, so Shadow Milk continues, slapping together his sandwich. “Here ya go! Eat up!” He grins at him softly, offering the plate to him. Pure Vanilla sighs softly. “I'm not all that hungry…” he mumbles.
Shadow Milk frowns, sitting down on the counter next to him. “If I treat you like a little kid, will you eat?” He questions. Pure Vanilla tilts his head, but his confusion is solved quickly by Shadow Milk cutting a piece off and holding it out to him on a fork. He smiles softly, nodding a little. “I suppose so…” he sighs, opening his mouth and allowing him to fly the fork into his mouth. “There we go~ perfect!” He grins, slowly feeding him his sandwich. He snuggles more against him, waiting for him to finish it all. He can feel other people staring at him, but he ignores them. “ Heh. Everyone's gonna think you have a GIRLFRIEND~ ” He giggles, lightly poking Pure Vanilla’s cheek. He pouts a bit, but doesn't complain. “It's okay. I'll tell them all about you eventually.” He sighs, leaning into his hand that's gently cupping his cheek as he feeds him. Shadow Milk softly rubs his thumb against his cheek, smiling tenderly. It's hard not to feel all… squishy about him. He thinks, looking down at his soft, glowing skin.
After he eats, Shadow Milk guides Pure Vanilla back to his room. Pure Vanilla slumps onto his bed, looking tired. “After that delicious food, I'm admittedly sleepy.” He sighs, snuggling against his pillow. Shadow Milk flops down next to him, nodding a bit. “You can rest in a moment. However… why haven't you been eating?” He asks softly, not trying to scare him or spook him into silence. Pure Vanilla freezes, looking away. “It's silly, really…” he mumbles, flushing deeply. Shadow Milk shakes his head. “Not silly. I'm just worried about you.” He insists, carefully spooning him, which seems to fluster him much more due to the presence of his chest. “I… get stressed sometimes. When I'm overwhelmed, I don't eat. Sometimes I just choose not to eat. I feel like I look absurd when I get too pudgy.” He confesses, flinching away a bit when Shadow Milk rests a hand on his shoulder.
“Dear… you're bone thin. I'm getting worried about you.” He murmurs, gently rolling him over to force eye contact. “H-how do you know?” He questions, biting his lip. “This morning, when I grabbed your hips. You felt so thin…” he looks at him with soft concern, trying to keep his irritation and anger at bay, knowing it's just caused by his fear. Pure Vanilla nods a little. “I… suppose I should gain more weight…” he seems reluctant, but also looks as though he doesn't want to upset him. Shadow Milk hugs him tight, lightly kissing his head. “‘Nilla… I would like that. I know it may seem as though it's a bad thing, but I think you'll feel better once you do.” He sighs, cupping his cheek to make him look up at him. “I won't scold you, I promise. Just… let's try our best to get you food, okay?” He smiles, watching him uncertainly return it.
Shadow Milk kisses him softly all over, making his way down to his stomach after a moment. He can feel the slight bump from the meal he just ate, due to him being just that thin. Shadow Milk pauses, then kisses his stomach gently, making a pleased sound. “See? It's a good thing! I'm proud of you.” He smiles up at him, watching his face. Pure Vanilla's eyes begin to tear up, slowly starting to cry. Shadow Milk hurriedly crawls back up to him, kissing all over his face. “‘Nilly~ it's okay~ I'm right here…” he murmurs, hugging him close again. Pure Vanilla sniffs, then, he speaks up slightly. “You're… p-proud of me?” He questions. It's clear he hasn't been told that in a long while, judging from his defeated, tired expression. Shadow Milk nods slowly, smiling at him again. “Yeah. I'm really proud of you for overcoming that fear and eating.” He agrees, kissing his face a few more times. Pure Vanilla shudders, slumping into his chest even though it's flustering for him.
Shadow Milk snuggles him closer to his chest, kissing his head. “Okay. Now, you can rest.” He whispers, making sure he's comfortable. Pure Vanilla nods slowly. “I-I don't need to worry about you…?” He asks softly. “No. I'll be okay, promise. I'll eat a muffin or something, and then I'll sleep too.” He promises, holding him close. Pure Vanilla nods, slowly falling asleep against him. “Goodnight Shadow…” he mumbles, passing out shortly after. Shadow Milk coos. “Goodnight dear. I… care deeply about you. Stop hurting yourself, please.” He sighs, holding onto him. Shadow Milk settles in to snack, then rest, cuddling his face into Pure Vanilla's neck. He feels the slight bump in his stomach again, feeling a small tingle of happiness. Now he'll be better. I know it. He slowly falls asleep, cuddling him more closely as he does. Goodnight love. I swear on my life that I'll keep you safe, even if it means protecting you from yourself. Shadow Milk falls asleep, feeling warmth in his chest as he holds him close. All is well for now, and he'll make sure his promise is carried out, no matter the cost.