Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Black Sapphire Cookie— Grapevine Faerie Cookie, at the moment— was probably on the shittiest mission of his entire time serving Shadow Milk Cookie.

He had to TALK to the faeries.

And he usually didn’t mind it, because he could usually just go to Silverbell Cookie’s little cottage and hang out with his unofficial boyfriend.

They had made out before, on several occasions, and Silverbell knew Grapevine Faerie was just a disguise and knew who Black Sapphire was, but they didn’t want to slap a label on it, so they just kept it as partners for now.
He promised to himself that he’d tell Shadow Milk Cookie soon, but that stupid PRICK of a sister, Candy Apple Cookie, was always hovering around him like the annoying little fly she was.

Anyway, today’s mission wasn’t miserable because he had to talk to the faerie cookies, but because Candy Apple had to ‘babysit’ him. Apparently, she told Shadow Milk Cookie that Black Sapphire was slacking off to gain their master’s favor, and now was assigned to watch him to make sure he did his job.

Ugh.
Responsibilities.

Anywho, they currently strolled through the city, which was familiar to him at this point.

Usually, excursions like this one were calm, fun and pretty laid back, but today, Black Sapphire felt like he was being watched.

He asked Candy about it a couple of times, but she just called him crazy.

He probably was, after a whole week of seeing this place.

Lanterns hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the walkways. Cookies from all over the Faerie kingdom were selling all kinds of produce and goods: from fresh fruit to bear jellies. All throughout, the gentle singing and music that was oh-so-common in the kingdom rang through the streets.

Sapphire still wasn’t fully used to it, despite all the time he spent in this kingdom. The only singing that he found enjoyable was Silverbell’s, and part of that came from the fact that they were partners.

Anyways, Candy Apple Cookie— Apple Faerie, as she called her disguise— pranced along next to Black Sapphire, faking a silly faerie attitude while talking shit about White Lily Cookie, while Sapphire just prayed they didn’t run into Silverbell.

“White Lily is such a bitch,” Apple Faerie giggled, “She can go die in a hole—“

“Candy shut the fuck up,” Grapevine Faerie hissed, “stay in character.”
“I am in character,” The cookie next to him declared sassily, “I am full of whimsy and delight.”

“Candy- I mean- Apple Faerie, you can’t just talk about murdering the Guardian of the Silver Tree. Faeries don’t do that,” Grapevine Faerie was back in character: the tired older sibling whose gender was a fictional concept.
“Get that stick out of your ass <3” Candy Apple said, still faking a faerie-like tone,

“Can you lock the fuck in, Apple Faerie,” Grapevine Faerie said through gritted teeth, emphasizing the persona’s name, “you’re going to get us caught.”

[Author’s Note: Black Sapphire Cookie is canonically brainrot because I said so.]

Candy Apple rolled her eyes and shut up, but walked along.
She was such a brat, ugh. Always whining and doing anything but being in character.

They wandered the city like they hadn’t already spent hours chasing dead ends. The library was a bust—no secret scrolls titled ‘How to Kill the Silver Tree in Three Easy Steps!’ . Or the ‘glorified weed,’ as Shadow Milk liked to call it.

The girl beside Grapevine Faerie Cookie was glancing around hesitantly and slowed down a bit. She wanted something.

He stopped and looked his sister dead in the eye, “What?”

She paused, “Huh?”

“You clearly want something.” Grapevine Faerie put his hands on his hips,

Apple Faerie averted his gaze, but finally asked, “…can we try a bear jelly?”

…

“You were this awkward over a bear jelly?” The grape vendor couldn’t help but laugh.

“Master never lets us have them back at the spire…” Apple Faerie pouted,
“Fine, fine,” Grapevine Faerie patted his sister’s head, “I know the bear jelly vendor. We talk sometimes when I sell grapes. I think he’ll give you one for free.”

Apple Faerie/Candy Apple Cookie practically squealed with delight and happily led the way to the stall. Grapevine Faerie followed her, chuckling to himself.

What a nerd. It was crazy she was his sister.

He watched the nervous wreck of a deceitling try to figure out what flavor out of 3 to order. What a silly little thing.

Though, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was being watched.
He glanced around to try and find the ‘stalker’. No one was looking at him. They just pranced past him, giggling, humming and being faeries. Ew.

He kept watching Apple Faerie struggle to choose a flavor and was about to go help her choose a flavour. Suddenly, something slammed into his back. One second, he was eyeing bear jellies. The next, he was airborne—branches slapping past, dirt flying, his whole body crashing into forest floor.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck fUCK!
He needed his staff, the faeries were onto them.

He couldn’t see the person who tackled him, but they were deep enough in the forest for him to drop his disguise and have nobody notice. As the form of Grapevine Faerie melted away to reveal the true form of the minion of deceit, the mystery assaulter reached up to yank on Black Sapphire’s wings.

They were quite sensitive (in all senses of the word) because there were a lot of nerves in them. Usually, one tug would be enough to reduce Black Sapphire to an overstimulated mess.

However, this time, he fell to the ground, whining.

He was dead.
He was so dead.
And Master wouldn’t even care. He wouldn’t save him this time-

The stranger’s hands started to move.
To draw a weapon?
Call the Faerie Knights?

Black Sapphire Cookie was genuinely surprised when their hands gently brushed across his wings, tracing the lines.
.
.
.
Wait. This touch felt familiar…

“Silverbell?” He asked tentatively as he turned around to see if he was right,
“Hi, Sapphy!” That stupid(ly cute) faerie grinned, getting off Black Sapphire Cookie’s back,
“…you asshole!” Sapphire couldn’t help but laugh, “I thought you were going to crumble me!”

“I just wanted to surprise you,” Silverbell smiled and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips, “besides, you pulled out your staff like you were going to attack me too.”

“It was in self-defense!” The deceitling whined, “And, by the way, you didn’t have to pull at my wings.”

“Sorry,” Silverbell smiled, “I just couldn’t help it, you’re so responsive when I touch your wings. It’s like a power-off button.”
“…still rude.” Black Sapphire pouted.

“Awww, I’m sorry,” Silverbell smiled a bit wider, his fingers gently brushing the edges of Black Sapphire’s wings. He usually did it when they were alone, and the gesture had become more comforting than stimulating,

“Don’t ‘awww’ me.” Black Sapphire frowned even more,

Silverbell did it again just to spite him. (It worked.)

“So… Why are you and Candy Apple here?” The Faerie asked,

“Master wants us to destroy the Silver Tree.” Sapphire mumbled.
“Oh…” Silverbell frowned,
They usually didn’t talk about his missions because they were often centered around destroying the very thing Silverbell was meant to protect.

“Don’t worry,” Sapphire mumbled, “We’re a long way from figuring out how. Plus, I don’t feel like helping. It’s a lot of effort, and I’d rather crumble,”

Silverbell was still frowning.

“…I promise, I’ll try to stop them from destroying it,” Black Sapphire said, gently taking Silverbell’s hands and looking at him with all his eyes to prove he wasn’t lying, “I’ll try to convince them to let it live,”

Silverbell stared up at him with an empty gaze before nodding quietly.

Black Sapphire gently kissed him on the lips, hoping to bring a bit of comfort.
Silverbell’s fingers started stroking his wings again, pulling a few happy purrs from the minion of deceit.
When he finally pulled away, Silverbell spoke.
“You better not be lying.”

Black Sapphire nuzzled at the faerie’s shoulder, “I promise, I’m not.”

“Hey dumbass?!” Oh shit.

“Silverbell, get off-“ Black Sapphire said frantically but practically powered off when Silverbell accidentally stepped on his wings in his attempts to stand up.
“Crap, I’m sorry-“ Silverbell rubbed at his partner’s wings to try and soothe him, but that just made Black Sapphire Cookie even more twitchy.

And of course, Candy Apple chose this moment to show up, in all her glory.

“Hey, Black Sapphire Cookie, this bear jelly is really good! It’s blue, just like Master Shadow Milk Cookie….” Her voice trailed off, “what the fuck am I looking at?”

Silverbell just froze in place, but Black Sapphire managed to pull two neurons out of the pool of overstimulated ones and rub them together just enough to manage three words:

“FUCK OFF, CUNT.”

Silverbell sharply tugged at both of Black Sapphire Cookie’s wings, again out of habit.
“No cursing!”

Silverbell was trying to get his partner to curse less by tugging at Black Sapphire’s wings whenever he did hear him curse.
“Not the time!-“ Black Sapphire managed to choke out before the stimulation got to his brain.

When he flopped onto the grass like a vegetable, Candy Apple Cookie’s eyes widened with realization and she skipped off, giggling mischievously, taking the form of Apple Faerie again.
“I’m telling Master!” She chirped, “Then he’ll hate you, and I’ll be his favourite!”

Black Sapphire wanted to stop her, but his brain was a pile of mush at this point, and he couldn’t bring himself to speak, much less, move.

“Witches…” Silverbell mumbled, scooping his ragdoll of a partner into his arms, “I’m sorry, are you okay,”

Dumbass.
Did he look okay?
He was limp. His wings were twitching and fluttering weakly. He couldn’t even form a sentence.

“…no.” The deceitling managed.
“…do you want to bunk at my house today?” Silverbell offered, before adding, “blink twice if yes.”
Black Sapphire blinked twice because there was no way in hell he was going back in this state.

“…okay,” the faerie offered, “I’ll make some tea.”
He lifted Sapphire in a bridal carry and flew off to his house.

Chapter Text

“MASTER SHADOW MILK COOKIEEEEEH!!”
Oh great. The brat.

Shadow Milk Cookie glanced at the plushie of Pure Vanilla Cookie in his summer outfit that he was working and quickly shoved it into the other realm before Candy Apple Cookie could notice.

“What do you want?” He grumbled, “I was doing something, y’know?”

“Master Shadow Milk Cookie!” Candy Apple squealed, “Hiiiiiii!~ Sorry to bother you, but I have some big news,”
“Big enough for me to care?” Shadow Milk arched an uninterested eyebrow,

“It’s about my assignment. You told me to watch Black Sapphire Cookie, and BOY do I have a scoop.” Candy Apple Cookie beamed proudly,

“Eh. Don’t care-“Shadow Milk was cut off by a short statement from his minion.

“He has a boyfriend.”
He immediately perked up. Gossip? Well, now that got his interest.

“Who is it?” Shadow Milk asked, unknowingly behaving like a curious cat,

“Oh you’re gonna be so mad at him!~” Candy Apple Cookie beamed, giggling to herself.

Oh geez, how did this one become such a loser? Shadow Milk didn’t remember adding any oatmeal to her dough when he baked her…

“Just tell me who he’s seeing.” Shadow Milk said, trying to sound listless and aloof, but his curiosity showed with his insistence.

“Silverbell Cookie.” Candy Apple Cookie snorted, “A faerie knight!”

Shadow Milk Cookie gasped dramatically, “Oh my! My very own minion? Dating one of those GNATS!?”

He grinned.
This was something interesting. Something he could work with.

After years of boredom and rotting, this was wonderful.

“Good job, little one.” Shadow Milk patted his minion’s head, “this information has made me very happy.”

Candy Apple Cookie’s body stiffened at the contact, but her eyes lit up at the praise, “Thank you, Master.”

“Go. Relax.” He waved her off.

She bowed and ran out the door.

Ah, Shadow Milk loved that girl. She was so… loyal. Easy to reward. Naïve. Gullible. Just what he needed in a minion.

He paused for a moment. He should probably reward her better.

“Hey, Candy Apple Cookie.” Shadow Milk called out.

In a few seconds, the girl skittered back into the room, “Yes, Master?”

“For your reward… you can have this, I suppose.” He handed her a plushie of himself, made of soft, fabric,

Candy Apple’s face lit up and she grabbed the plushie, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Thank you Master!” The smile plastered on her face flashbanged Shadow Milk.

He paused, staring at her with a look that was awfully unfamiliar. Some strange form of parental affection.
.
.
.
Okay he was allowed to break character sometimes.

Shadow Milk descended from where he was floating in his chambers and gently hugged his minion.
No.
That was the wrong word at the moment…
His daughter.
That was the word for Candy Apple Cookie.
His weird, deranged, loser of a daughter.

Shadow Milk Cookie pulled out of the hug,
“Okay, that’s enough, or your syrup will melt,” He concluded, dusting himself off as he slipped right back into character, wearing a teasing grin, “off with you, little one.”

Candy Apple Cookie stared at Shadow Milk Cookie like she was searching for something. For her father. But now, all she saw was her master.
She sighed, “Yes, Master.”
With that, Shadow Milk was alone in his chambers, left to his devices.
He reached back into his other realm to fetch out the plushie of Pure Vanilla Cookie.
He had to postpone this project, sadly.

He had some… ‘responsibilities’ to take care of, if you will.

Shadow Milk Cookie opened a portal to the Faerie Kingdom and slipped through.
It was time to find out if a bird hunt was just as fun as Burning Spice Cookie described it to be.

Or in this case, a faerie hunt.

~~~

Silverbell Cookie was lounging in his living room, sipping on some jasmine tea. He’d just gotten the evening off from guard duty and was thinking of inviting Black Sapphire Cookie over to watch a movie.

A knock at the door.

Huh.

That was strange.

At this hour?

Silverbell stood up and sauntered over, twisting the doorknob and pulling the door open.

A lady stood at the door. She wore a beautiful azure dress with accents of black and a little white hemming. Her hair was in a half-up-half-down style, parted to the right, with a French braid running along the left side of her hair.
Her mascara was bold, but the rest of her makeup was soft.
Her delicate hands held a basket of berries covered in a blue chequered cloth.

She didn’t seem to be from around the Faerie Kingdom, and Silverbell had never seen her before, yet something in her face seemed familiar.

“Good evening, miss,” The faerie knight answering the door bowed politely,

“Good evening, kind sir,” the woman smiled kindly, “Would you perhaps be kind enough to host a wandering lady like me? I appear to be lost,”

“Of course, ma’am!” Silverbell cookie beamed, “I just made some tea! I’m Silverbell Cookie, by the way.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you,” the kind woman nodded, “Call me Blue Pea Cookie.”

Silverbell stepped aside to let her inside his house. Then, he hurriedly poured her some tea and sat across from her.

“So… Blue Pea Cookie,” Silverbell prompted, his wings fluttering, “have you heard the new song the faerie choir has been singing?”

“Oh yes, it’s wonderful!” She smiled softly, but Silverbell could swear her eye twitched a little, “I love the part where the key changes. It’s so entrancing.”

“Oh, I like the harmonies at the end.” Silverbell smiled, sipping at his tea,

Blue Pea Cookie smiled wider, staring at Silverbell Cookie’s wings “Ah, faerie wings seem so… delicate. So easy to rip tear.”

“Oh.. u-uh…. They kinda of are. We have to heal them constantly.” Silverbell didn’t like this topic, so he decided to change it, “anyway, how did you get into the kingdom?”

Blue Pea Cookie paused, then said, “The faerie guards let me inside upon hearing about my travels. I’m headed to the Hollyberrian Kingdom to trade some of my blue pea bear jellies. Your kingdom is so easy to infiltrate~”

“Oh, that’s… amazing” Silverbell said, before mentally slapping himself. It was rude to be skeptical of a guest, and so he continued by changing the topic again “I hope your travels are safe. Would you like to receive the blessings of the Silver Tree for prosperity on your journey?-“

“The Silver Tree?!” The lady in azure cried out, her voice a bit hoarser, “Oh my that would be wonderful- ah fuck it. I can’t do this shit anymore”
She stood up and all the shadows in the room curled in towards her form, encasing her, then falling back into position, leaving behind an unfamiliar but recognisable figure:

“Shadow Milk Cookie.” Silverbell Cookie took three steps backwards, “Y-YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE BANISHED-“

“I know, smartass.” Shadow Milk Cookie rolled his eyes, “your kingdom needs better security. Anywho, The faerie hunt begins in 3…”

Oh shit. Silverbell had to run. Now.

“2…”

He took off, flying though the back door and up into the night air.

“1!”

He glanced backwards to see Shadow Milk Cookie at his heels, his cracking left behind with the wind.

Silverbell dove down into the forest, weaving through trees he knew like the back of his hand. He needed a plan. He couldn’t call Black Sapphire and ask him to make a portal, since that would take too long. The minion of deceit was too loyal.

Maybe he could bore Shadow Milk out?

He kept weaving through trees and tunnels, hoping to tire out the beast.

But he was more tired than Shadow Milk was.

Silverbell tucked away in a nook in a tunnel to catch his breath when darkness engulfed him.
The faerie started to kick his feet and flap his wings, anything to get out of wherever he was, but his efforts proved null, the darkness sliding around his limbs and swallowing him whole.

Then he saw it: a speck of light. He lunged for it, almost making it out, but it closed up completely.

Silverbell’s breath hitched.
His head whipped around the sea of black he was trapped in. It was closed off. He couldn’t see the Sun. there was no singing.
Silverbell’s breaths came in ragged pants as he clutched his own arms.

Then, an ear-piercing cackle ran through the abyss. Shadow Milk Cookie.

“Oh my!” The beast of deceit chirped, his voice full of mirth, “the faerie hunt was thrilling while it lasted, really! But I’m afraid I’m far superior to you fae. It was TOO EASY.”

“Let me go!” Silverbell cried, warm tears falling down his face

“Awwwwww,” Shadow Milk cooed, “little GNAT boy holds his futile little hope so dear!~”

“Stop!- what do you want from me!?” Silverbell hoarsely sobbed.

“Well,” Shadow Milk Cookie materialized in front of him, shit-eating grin on his face, “it has come to my attention that you’re dating my son.”

“I- I’ll leave him alone, I promise!-“

“Shut up.” The beast hissed, “I wasn’t finished. I’m fine with your relationship. Honestly, that boy needed a life, he’s jobless as fuck.” Shadow Milk sharpened his claws and picked at a hangnail, “No, honey, what I wanna do to you is give you a little upgrade. Make you perfect for him.”

“…how?” Silverbell tilted his head,

“Well… you seem to have a lot of weight on your shoulders.” blue eyes opened up in the abyss, matching Shadow Milk’s hair, “all that kindness and yearning for peace.”

A wicked grin spread across the beast of deceit’s face.

“Let me take those tacky wings and that hopeless truth for you!”

Before Silverbell could even react, Shadow Milk was already behind him, claws resting on the flat surface of Silverbell’s wings.

“Fuck.” Silverbell gasped,

“Yes, my boy,” Shadow Milk commented from behind him, “‘Fuck’ indeed.”

The claws resting right where Silverbell’s wings met his body drove through the fragile membrane.
Silverbell didn’t even scream: there was no time.
Without hesitation, Shadow Milk Cookie grabbed at Silverbell’s wings and ripped them off.

Tea-infused jam poured from the stumps on Silverbell’s back as the faerie cried out in pain.

“Don’t worry,” Shadow Milk crooned, “it’ll hurt less in a second.”

The beast pulled out his staff and gently tapped Silverbell on the head with it.

Immediately, the faerie began to change. His outfit turned a deep gray with accents of purple, his hair color darkening to the same shade. His neatly trimmed nails changed into claws similar to those of Black Sapphire. But his wings didn’t change. The pain was numbed, but they didn’t change.

“There we go.” Shadow Milk floated around to survey his work, “wonderful. My minion deserves only the sweetest lies.”

Chapter Text

Okay, so I genuinely thought y’all hated this one. Like. Uh. Idk.
Basically, I wrote this in like a week because I’m also working on multiple other projects for you!
My friend and I are making a shadowvanilla comic called cracked and it’ll be on twitter for you guys :D I’m also writing a shadowvanilla fic called Dear Soulmate, so I’m pretty sure y’all will like that too (Yes all my fics are named after laufey songs.) I’m also writing songs for my album called ‘Untitled’ so that’s a pain in the bum (I have 1 and a half songs completed :sob: I’ll live, dw)

On top of that, im moving pretty soon, so I’m helping my parents and making the most of my last 2 weeks in my current town.

Oh fuck.

I just realized it sounds like I’m making excuses.

Uh.

I’m not making excuses. I’d rephrase it but it’s currently 1:41 AM, I feel like throwing up, and I can’t sleep because every time I close my eyes, I get fnaf jumpscared by analog horror. Plus I’m getting assaulted by gender dysphoria because period cramps. (I hate being a boy on my period.)

Oops.

Uh, right. Again, every time you guys comment, it gives me some motivation juice and makes me wanna write more for you. It also just makes me happy in general. I’m gonna start replying to every comment again too. I like talking to y’all. It makes me feel happy :)

Oh also, do y’all want me to make fanart or smth? I’m bored.

Just saying, there’s 10 more chapters, and the reason there’s 2 extras is in case I want to show you some designs or stuff or in case I have to make an announcement again.

Kk that’s it, byeeeee

Chapter Text

It was made to look like it was late in the evening in the artificial environment around the Spire of Deceit. Soft rain pattered against the stained glass windows, dimming the already dull light. The shadows around the spire seemed to watch Black Sapphire Cookie as Candy Apple Cookie led him through the twisting halls of the spire, down a brand new hallway that seemed to appear just yesterday. Shadow Milk Cookie changed the layout of the spire every few days because he found it funny to see the deceitlings get lost, but this was new.
The hallway had decor that was strange for Shadow Milk Cookie to have made: living flowers and tea infused lanterns. Pale green vines curled across some of the walls, caged bluebirds were hanging from posts on the walls. The strangest thing is that the stained glass windows didn’t show Shadow Milk Cookie or his souljam, like all the other windows in the spire. They showed whimsical white flowers and trees.

“Candy Apple Cookie,” Black Sapphire Cookie drawled, “how much further is this ‘surprise’ you speak of?”
He honestly just wanted to go to the Faerie Kingdom and have some tea with Silverbell. Maybe watch a movie and get bear jellies.

“Ugh, you’re soooooo impatient!” The little imp that was supposedly his sister groaned, “this is why I’M master’s favourite!”

“Are not!” Black Sapphire said, childish, sure, but instinctively.

“Am too!” Candy Apple cookie giggled, “you’re just jelly!”

“There’s no proof you’re his favorite!” The taller minion of deceit pointed out,

“When was the last time dad had actual physical contact with you?” Candy Apple asked, “not master, dad.”

Black Sapphire froze. It was like someone stabbed him. He couldn’t remember the last time Shadow Milk treated him like his son and not his minion. Maybe it was after that one time he kidnapped Pure Vanilla Cookie, but all he got was a pat on the head and slight ruffle of his hair. Not a full hug.

“…that was too far.” Black Sapphire frowned,

“Oh.” Candy Apple Cookie looked at her brother for a moment before mumbling out, “sorry…”

They just stood there in silence as Black Sapphire’s little gem minions appeared to comfort him. His staff warbled a little in pity.
“I mean…” the younger cookie finally spoke, trying to comfort her brother, “he gave you a cool staff, and earrings, and minions… oh and the surprise!”

“…fair enough.” Black Sapphire shrugged. That was enough time out of character for him. He waved off the sapphire minions and continued down the hallway with Candy Apple.

After a short moment, Black Sapphire raised his question again, “We’ve walked up four staircases, ended up upside down twice and accidentally walked into the mirror maze. Are you sure you know where you’re going?”

“Shut up.” Candy Apple hissed, “it’s a complicated route.”

“Don’t you think the decor seems off?” Black Sapphire mused, “I mean, if master had truly done this, all the flowers would be dead, and the cages would be full of illusions of baby faeries getting murdered or tortured or something. And the windows. What’s up with the lack of… Shadow-Milk-Cookie-ness?”

“Dunno…” she mumbled, “maybe, Master got his twink boyfriend to decorate or something. Plus, isn’t it good there’s no dying baby faeries?”

“I thought you hated faeries.” Black Sapphire looked at his claws, picking at a hangnail.

“Oh, so you and your faerie boyfriend aren’t gonna bake a baby?” Candy Apple grinned mischievously,

“Shut it before I trap YOU in a cage, brat.” Black Sapphire hissed, successfully managing to keep the blush off his face, and he changed the topic to keep it that way “Your hatred for Pure Vanilla Cookie baffles me,” Black Sapphire stuffed his hand in his pocket, “you usually like whatever Master likes.”

“…wanna know the truth?” Candy Apple muttered, “Actually- forget I said anything.”

“Wait no, tell me!” Black Sapphire lit up.
This was gossip. The reason he was created was quite literally to get all the latest gossip. He had to know.
“….fine.” Candy Apple huffed, “but you’re gonna give me a piggy back ride. You’ve got wings that actually let you fly, I’ve been walking this whole time.”

“Pfff- what are you, 5?” Black Sapphire grinned cheekily,

“Do you want to know, or not?” Candy Apple Cookie snapped.

“Fine, fine. You’ll get your piggy back ride.” He lowered himself to the ground, his platform heels touching the tile with a soft click.

Black Sapphire was already freakishly tall —he could touch the tip of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s ugly ass hat even when he was on the ground, shoes off, and that abomination is as tall as it is ridiculous. He just wore platform heels because they looked cool.

“Tell me.” He insisted.

“…Master likes Pure Vanilla Cookie more than us and stops paying attention to us whenever he’s here. It makes me jealous.”

Black Sapphire didn’t even know how to respond to that, so he just gave his sister a hug.
Then he got an idea “… whenever Pure Vanilla Cookie is at the spire, come to my chambers. We can do a radio show. That sound good?”

“…yeah.” Candy apple nodded, a little smile on her face,

“Okay, now, for your piggyback ride.” Black Sapphire crouched down and let his sister scramble onto his back, then stood up, letting her use his wings as leg rests and hold into his shoulders.

“Woah…” Candy Apple grinned like a kid at a candy store, “you’re so tall!”

“How’s the weather up here compared to down there, hm?” Black Sapphire teased, “jokes aside, if you stomp on, scratch, or even touch my wings, I will not hesitate fling you out of the nearest window.”

“You let that faerie knight do it on the last mission-“

“I have located the nearest window.” Black Sapphire said calmly,

“Got it. Shutting up.”

“Thank you.”

As both of them turned a corner, the scent in the air got thicker. Like… jasmine? The hell?
The vegetation mirrored the scent of the flowers, the vines getting denser and even sprouting a couple of vanilla orchids. More bird cages hung from the walls, and more tea lanterns lit up the room in an eerie glow.
The flora seemed to lead to a set of double doors, arching over the frame. The doors themselves were stylish, carved with flowers and jewels and grapes. Hold on a second….

“…this looks like the Faerie Kingdom,” Black Sapphire said, letting Candy Apple down,

“Heh, you sure would know a lot about that,” she teased, “You and your little boyfriend.”

“No, I’m serious. Look around.” The older cookie insisted, “the flowers, the lanterns, the bluebirds, albeit, the faeries would hate the cages.”

“Actually…” the younger cookie looked around like she was asked, “you’re right…”
And then, after rubbing her only two brain cells together to make a spark for the first time in her life, Candy Apple Cookie was back. “Anyways, I’m out, Master let me hang out with Pavlova and Cloud Haetae cookie today,”

“Of course you are.” Black Sapphire rolled his eyes, “what are you gonna do, write yaoi or something?”
“I… how did you know?” Candy Apple paused, “did Pavlova tell you?”
“No- wait, I was right?” Black Sapphire’s eyes sparkled with mirth, but was cut off by Candy’s panicked scrambling,
“What?! No! You’re not right? Who told you you were right?! Not me! HAHAHA-“ she seemed to realize she was making herself look more suspicious, “uh… bye.” And with a puff of smoke, she disappeared.

Black Sapphire made a mistake in the amount of oatmeal he snuck into her dough when Master was baking her. He was surprised Shadow Milk Cookie didn’t notice yet.

Anyways, he looked back at the door, eyes catching on a sticky note he hadn’t noticed. It read “This is your new room. I made it bigger and fancier. Love, dad.” In Shadow Milk Cookie’s hieroglyphical handwriting.
Still, after deciphering it, Black Sapphire’s eyes trained on the word ‘dad’. A little smile crept onto his face and he gently pushed the doors open.

The room itself was gorgeous, a giant bed in the shape of a semi-circle in the center with a purple and silver curtain drawn around it, hiding the bed from view. Off to the left was a recording studio for his radio show, and to the right was a mirror and closet full of his clothes. A set large stained glass windows were around a circular coffee table. The stained glass itself depicted two lovers- wait… no. It depicted Black Sapphire Cookie and Silverbell Cookie.

How did Master find out? Actually, why was he even asking, of course it was Candy Apple Cookie.
Master didn’t seem to be mad, though. If he was mad, he would have just confronted Black Sapphire.

Deciding to just relax for a bit, Black Sapphire ordered his little sapphire minions to draw the curtains around his bed as he examined his recording equipment.

It was all high quality, and the radio could broadcast all the way to the Dark Cacao Kingdom.
He was about to test it when the sapphire minions flew over, chittering frantically.
“Ugh- what do you want? One at a time!” He rolled his eyes.

The most frantic one jerked towards the bed, squeaking a bit.
Black Sapphire looked over and was startled by the sight: Silverbell Cookie.
The faerie was seemingly tranqued or something, because he was asleep.

“Holy shit-“ He immediately scrambled over to Silverbell’s side, cradling the faerie. Something seemed off. Almost like he was… wilting. His white and light grey colours seemed to be rotting into a sickly brown —the same color as gingerbrave— and that wasn’t normal for a faerie cookie. Black Sapphire would know, he did his research when he started seeing Silverbell.

“Silverbell, are you okay?” He asked, gently shaking his boyfriend to wake him.
His mind kept repeating ‘please wake up’ like a broken record as his actions grew more frantic. “Silverbell!” He cried out in panic.

Finally Silverbell stirred and whined, “it’s too bright…”

“Draw the curtains.” Black Sapphire ordered his minions, and they immediately complied, the curtains being drawn creating a darker space, “are you alright, Silverbell, did he hurt you?-“

“I’m fine…” Silverbell mumbled, shakily sitting up with the help of Black Sapphire’s support, “just woozy…”
“I… he made you emo!-“ Black Sapphire said,

“You did not just say that.” The faerie groaned, crawling closer to his boyfriend.

“Sorry… but you’re wilting!” Black Sapphire said, looking over Silverbell’s clothes when he noticed something, “where are your wings?”

“I… he tore them off.” Silverbell muttered,

“Who is ‘he’? Is it Shadow Milk Cookie?” Black Sapphire stumbled over his words, rage simmering in his heart. So what if Shadow Milk was his master? Black Sapphire Cookie was gonna kill him.

“Relax. I feel fine.” Silverbell mumbled, seemingly seeing the rage in his boyfriend’s eyes,

“You’re not fine!” The minion of deceit’s hands clenched in his suit, “your wings got torn off!-“

“Relax.” Silverbell repeated, gently taking Black Sapphire’s hands.

“How am I supposed to relax?! You’re hurt!—“ Black Sapphire Cookie’s panic was immediately cut off by Silverbell grabbing his wings and squeezing them.

He immediately crumpled like a piece of paper, falling onto the faerie in front of him. His wings weakly fluttered in Silverbell’s grip as he got assaulted by pecks and kisses.

Well, that was one way to calm down.

“You’ve got to stop doing that.” Black Sapphire said, half-heartedly.

“Doing what?” The faerie knight faked innocence. He knew exactly what he was doing,

“If you keep lying like that, Master’s gonna hire you.” The minion of deceit said, “though I’d beat him up for ripping your wings off-“

Silverbell gave Black Sapphire’s wings another sharp yank, effectively silencing the deceitling. Black Sapphire went limp, the only movement he was capable of was the occasional twitch of his hands, legs or wings.

“Enough talk of treason for you, mister.” Silverbell commanded, though the way he gently scratched Black Sapphire’s scalp made it clear that his tone was just playful, “I've already lost Elder Faerie Cookie to your Master. I’m not losing you too.”
“But-“ Black Sapphire managed to string together a sentence, but another squeeze to his wings immediately blue screened his brain.

“Shush.” Silverbell soothed, “relax.”

“Fine.” Black Sapphire complied.

Chapter Text

Apple Faerie cookie mugged around in the faerie kingdom library. This is stupid. She went through so much spying and calculating to call out her gay ass brother for dating the enemy boy, and Master sends HER out for chores while Black Sapphire got to stay in his room with his boyfriend.

The library smelled of old books, ink, lilies and misery. The smell of tea lanterns broke the pattern with notes of cinnamon and black tea. Hushed chatter from Faerie students filled the vast building like the silent static when a vinyl was played on a record player.

She scanned the shelves for anything on the Silver Tree, her fingers brushing over the spines as she contemplated whether “Stories of the Silver Tree: Volume VII” would hold any valuable information.

“This is stupid…” she glowered to no one in particular, pulling the book out of the shelf.

She hauled her stack of books over to the table and plopped it down to read. Candy didn’t read; Black Sapphire did. Why did she even snitch— oh my fucking god —that backfired so bad. Her eyes skimmed over the first chapter of the book she’d just grabbed, latching onto any words that seemed even slightly important.

She found a ‘Creation of the Silver Tree’ section and figured that if someone knew how to create it, they knew how to kill it too.

‘Long ago, there were 5 Virtues. They did good and helped all of cookiekind…’ ew no.
‘Eventually, they got tired of their virtuous responsibilities and started abusing them…’ Nope.
‘To seal the beasts away, the Salt of Solidarity and Elder Faerie Cookie planted a seed infused with their power…’ Wait… THAT SALTY FREAK WAS BEHIND THIS??

Apple Faerie got so mad she almost dropped her disguise, standing up and clutching the table for dear life.

That… that TOELICKER caged her MASTER? And he was scheming with that GNAT??

Candy Apple had to tell Master Shadow Milk Cookie and help him tear that freak’s realm apart—

Her train of thought was cut off by a familiar giggle from the back of the library.

Even though she knew who it belonged to, she didn’t know WHO it belonged to.

Quietly, she crept toward the laughter and snickering, approaching a bookshelf titled ‘Graphic Novels’.

She turned the corner and was met by a sight to behold. A tall cookie with pink and white cream merengue hair and fluttery wings. Even though he was in a faerie disguise, she knew who it was.

“Pavlova Cookie?” She tilted her head to the side, “That’s a really shitty disguise.”

“Huh?-“ Pavlova jerked up like he was just startled out of a deep sleep, “Who are you?! W-who is this ‘Pavlova Cookie’ you speak of? I’m Strawberry Merengue Faerie—”

“Drop the act, it’s me, Candy Apple.” Apple faerie whispered, “but they think I’m Apple Faerie.”

She glanced at what the boy was reading. It was a manga, called ‘Notice me, Regal Knight Cookie!”. It was clearly one of THOSE mangas.

“Why are you reading a yuri?”

“Oh.” The taller cookie hid the book he was reading behind him, “Why do you care?”

Candy Apple simply arched a judgmental brow.

“Aaaaanyways, why are you actually here?” Apple Faerie plopped down next to him,

“… Eternal Sugar cookie doesn’t let me read manga in the garden.” Pavlova pouted, “Why are you here?”

“Researching ways to burn that stupid tree down.” Candy Apple grumbled,

“Isn’t that usually your brother’s job?” Pavlova asked,

“I ratted out Black Sapphire for having a Faerie boyfriend, and instead of getting mad, Master is letting him have an off day to hang out with that pest,” she glowered, “I thought that MAYBE I’d get an off day and some privileges, but instead I have to cover for that gay asshole’s duties.”

“Snitches get stitches,” Pavlova shrugged, and Candy Apple’s jaw fell open,

“Dude, you’re supposed to be on my side!”

“Hey, at least we know your dad’s not a total asshole. He’s not homophobic. And probably not racist.”

“He’s not my dad.” Candy snapped, then exhaled, “sorry. Me and Black Sapphire lose our privileges if we call him dad. He prefers we call him Master.”

“Oh.” Pavlova frowned, “well, Eternal Sugar used to force me and Sugarfly to call her mom. She’d take it personally if we called her master.”

They just sat there in silence for a moment.

“Black Sapphire told me that Banana Faerie is baking a dough with Hyacinth Faerie and Juniper Faerie doesn’t know.” Candy Apple muttered, trying to change the topic so she didn’t have to read,

“What?” Pavlova’s eyebrows shot up, “She wouldn’t!”

“Yes, she would,” Candy Apple grinned, “When Juniper Faerie goes off for his nightly Knight duties, Banana Faerie sneaks over to her lover’s and adds a bit more extract to the dough,”

“What a scandal!” Pavlova grinned, “Is it true?”

“Probably.” Candy Apple shrugged.

“I didn’t know this stuff happened in this…. quaint kingdom.” Pavlova said quaint like one would say a slur.

“Anywho, I have duties to get to,” Candy Apple sighed and lifted herself up, “See you later, ‘Strawberry Merengue Faerie’.”

“Bye Ca- I mean— Apple Faerie!” Pavlova waved and went back to reading.

Apple Faerie slugged to the desk and slumped over the book. Why didn’t they serve coffee in this stupid kingdom? These books could bore anyone to sleep.

She flipped to a random chapter.
It was titled “The Wilt.”

“Bingo.” Candy Apple grinned. She found something on the Silver Tree dying. Or at least faltering. A waver is better than ‘the tree has thrived since this kingdom was born’, which is absolute bullshit.

She read to herself in her head:
‘After the Salt of Solidarity had trapped himself and all the beast cookies in the Silver Tree, no one dared disturb it for a long while, the exact timeframe unknown.
At some point though, eyewitness accounts claimed to see Elder Faerie Cookie sulking around the great tree. He was often crying, muttering about ‘jam and crumbs’ and a ‘familiar face’.

Then he did it: Elder Faerie Cookie drove his sword into one of the roots of the tree. Silver Ichor poured out of the porous stump. Then black. Shadow milk cookie clawed his way out, already starting to wreak havoc. Snakes slithered through the crop fields, one of the courtmasters of deceit started to coagulate from thin air.

Then a black gloved arm dragged the beast back in, giving Elder Faerie enough time to come back to his senses and seal the tree.

Anyone who ate any crop from that harvest got a disease known as the wilt.
The wilt was characterised by the following symptoms in order:
-weakness
-slight discolouration
-lethargy
-loss of appetite
-sudden burst of apathy.
-suicidal thoughts + lies about being the happiest they’ve ever been
-silence after they commit suicide.

Research on the crops showed that they were all affected by Dark Moon magic, now known to be a psychological poison to Faeries—’

Wait. Didn’t Master Shadow Milk Cookie pump a shit ton of Dark Moon magic in to Black Sapphire cookie’s little Faerie boyfriend?

Wouldn’t he get the wilt?

….Candy didn’t care. Totally not. She didn’t want to see a freaky faerie dough baby. She just… Black Sapphire would be sad. He cared too much about that gnat.

She should tell him.

Later.

Chapter Text

I made a few tiny edits:
“It’s your first day on the job, wear something fresh!” Shadow Milk Cookie beamed as he floated around Silverbell Cookie with his own version of the faerie knight’s outfit.

It had a little more pizzazz and embroidery, but remained mostly the same. It was the uniform shirt with black embroidery, and the pants were a bit more fitted and flared out after the knees to stay cool, just like Black Sapphire’s, except these ones had black ruffles coming out of slits in the fabric. The original capelet was changed to a real cape with two shoulder pads.

Most importantly, it had synthetic bat wings, much like the other deceitling’s.

Silverbell blinked.

“I thought I was a hostage.”

Shadow Milk Cookie barked out a laugh, “No, silly! You’re a gift! My son is so lonely, it embarrasses me to even look at him!”

“…son?” Silverbell tilted his head.

Shadow Milk seemed to catch himself, “Minion. I said minion.”

“Okay…” Silverbell muttered

He tried to grab the new uniform out of the air where it floated mystically before him, but it went up in a puff of smoke and reappeared on Silverbell’s dough.

“Oh…. This is comfortable.” He mumbled, smiling a little,

“I know,” Shadow Milk tapped Silverbell with his cane, “I’m a Beast, not a monster.”

There was a moment of silence.

“I guess I ask what the mission is today now?” Silverbell muttered awkwardly,

“It’s a little different from the usual. Your original form is your disguise, by the way. You will accompany Grapevine Faerie and Apple Faerie on an ‘outing’ around the kingdom. Do your level best to irritate that Saint Lily Cookie.” Shadow Milk seethed as he spat out the name of the guardian of the Silver Tree.

“What did she do?” Silverbell asked, finding a bed and using the mechanical wings to fly up to it and sit on the edge,

“She keeps hanging around my other half. It’s really pissing me off, like, why does she have to be with Pure Vanilla all the time?—“ he paused, “why did I tell you that?”

Silverbell just raised his hands and made the ‘my lips are zipped and I threw away the key’ gesture.

“…you better not be lying to me.” Shadow Milk narrowed his eyes, “Anyways, go, do your duties, whatever.”

~~~

Silverbell led Grapevine Faerie (Black Sapphire), and Apple Faerie (Candy Apple) around the faerie kingdom, his hand laced with his partner’s and his partner’s sister skipping ahead of them.

“So we have to find White Lily?” Apple Faerie asked,

“Yes,” Silverbell nodded, “I have to introduce you both to her.”

“This is the first time I’ve actually been nervous on a mission,” Black Sapphire, out of character for the first time ever, “I have to talk to your mom.”

“She’s nice, you don’t have to worry,” Silverbell squeezed Black Sapphire’s hand, “Stay in character so we don’t get caught, okay?”

Grapevine Faerie hummed and squeezed Silverbell’s hand back, “Okay.”

After a bit more wandering, they found her outside the library, talking to Pure Vanilla Cookie. He paused and glanced up at the deceitlings. Both siblings froze up, and Silverbell realised why. During his time as Truthless Recluse, Pure Vanilla saw both minions in disguise. He knew who they really were.

He gave them a look, reading ‘Are you two causing any trouble?’

Both deceitlings frantically shook their heads, getting an approving nod from Pure Vanilla.

“He seems like a father figure to you.” Silverbell whispered to Black Sapphire,

“He is.” The other cookie nodded, “Master would never admit it, but he’s crazy for him.”

“I see.” Silverbell nodded, “Didn’t Pure Vanilla have a thing for White Lily when they studied at the Blueberry Yogurt academy?”

“He promises Master he’s over it.” Sapphire shrugged, before letting Silverbell lead them up to White Lily Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie’s table.

“Ah, Grapevine Faerie Cookie, Apple Faerie Cookie,” Pure Vanilla greeted with a polite smile as both siblings settled on chairs on either side of him, Grapevine Faerie pulling up a chair from another table so that Silverbell didn’t have to and could sit next to White Lily Cookie.

“Pure Vanilla, you know these two?” White Lily asked, nodding at Silverbell in greeting,

“Yes, they stopped by my kingdom on their voyage to the Hollyberry Kingdom,” he smiled sheepishly, “I might have taken them in and cared for them.”

“You can’t adopt every orphan you see,” White Lily teased, earning an eye roll and an ‘okay, grandma’ from Pure Vanilla.

“Uh… mother?” Silverbell muttered, “I wanted to introduce you to my partner, Grapevine Faerie Cookie,”

“Oh!” White Lily paused, “Forgive me! Good afternoon, Grapevine Faerie!”

“I…. You’re not disappointed I’m dating a guy?” Silverbell tilted his head innocently,

“Of course not, my dear friend, Pure Vanilla has had many male partners—“ White Lily smirked at her friend,

“Don’t .” Pure Vanilla said, but didn’t have the time to get the ‘-t’ out before White Lily continued,
“—aaand, he had baked heirs with a few.”

The Ancient of Truth his his face in his hands and rubbed his temples as White Lily leaned back in her chair and smirked smugly.

Pure Vanilla immediately tried to save face, “Mind you, I am an ancient, so I have had multiple partners because I am immortal. I did not cheat at all-“

“What about Banana Chip Cookie?” White Lily grinned,

“Shut your mouth—“

“Ah! My poor fragile feelings-“ The ancient of freedom giggled.

Silverbell and Grapevine Faerie made eye contact and had a silent conversation along the lines of:

What the fuck is happening.

I have no clue.

Are they married or is Pure Vanilla just the punching-bag-gay best friend?

I deadass can’t tell.
—

Sapphire flinched and broke eye contact as Apple Faerie kicked him in the shin and mouthed ‘The mission’.
Right.

They had to bother White Lily.

How would they do that though? Silverbell knew from experience that she was a very patient cookie, and rarely ever got irritated.

He glanced at the deceitlings and they just paused.

Then Black Sapphire grinned in his evil henchman way for a moment before softening his expression to Grapevine Faerie’s polite smile.

“Saint Lily Cookie, we have a small secret.” He said.

That was smart. Really smart.

If White Lily had a fatal flaw, it would be curiosity. When information was kept from her, she would need to wrench it from its owner no matter what.

“What is it?” She asked, listening intently,

Apple Faerie seemed to catch on and started playing along “Wait is about that one time I saw—“

“Don’t say it, she can’t know until she does the thing.” Black Sapphire grinned, unashamed of his mischief breaking through his disguise’s character.

“What thing?” White Lily took the bait. She was hooked.

“I made a promise to Silverbell that if I saw you do something he swore you would do, then I would tell you one of my deepest secrets.” Sapphire wasn’t even in character at this point,

“Yeah.” Candy nodded, clearly approving of her brother’s plan,

“Oh?” White Lily gave Silverbell the ‘I am your mother, tell me your secrets’ look, and he just shrugged,

“What they said.” He nodded to Grapevine Faerie.

“Okay….” He could already see the wheels turning in her head. She wanted information. Needed it now.

“So, mom.” Silverbell continued, “can you show us all the secret spots around the kingdom? Now that Grapevine is going to be back from trading trips more often, I want some places to spend time with them other than my house.”

“Alright, why not?” White Lily stood from her chair, “some of these spots are places where your guard privileges get you, so you may get kicked out if you’re with Grapevine. Just tell them that I let you go there, alright?”

“Okay, mom.” Silverbell followed her, barely noticing his partner at his side until they were squeezing his hand.

Grapevine was in character but not at the same time. Their hands twiddled with the strings of their apron, like they did when Black Sapphire was in character, but his wings kept twitching and fluttering, one of Sapphire’s nervous tics.

“Are you nervous?” Silverbell asked, gently rubbing his partners knuckles through their gloves,

Grapevine simply nodded, “She gave me a look.”
He moved to hug Silverbell from behind as they walked, already using his wings to hover rather than walk. Black Sapphire barely used his legs, they were practically decorative at this point, and when he did, he almost always had all his weight on just one leg rather than on both like a normal cookie.

He was a fruit basket, I guess.

“Want me to carry you?” Silverbell asked, well aware that his partner was 6’4 , and he was just 5’11 (in cookie measurements).

“What?-“

“Up.” He instructed, and Grapevine Faerie hovered off the ground, letting Silverbell hook his hands under their thighs, their arms instinctively wrapping around his shoulders, being careful not to damage Silverbell’s wings.

It looked a little funny. A tall, fully capable vendor getting carried by a Faerie Knight.

“Woah…” Grapevine mumbled, “you’re so strong…” his hands gently traced the muscles of his shoulders and arms,

“I’m a knight,” Silverbell said simply, “I’m supposed to be strong,”

“Show off more often-“ Grapevine gently stroked the edge of Silverbell’s false wing, “It’s attractive,”

Silverbell chortled at their words and their child-like wonder, but there was something about the touch on his wings.

It felt strange.

His real wings could feel the warmth of his partner’s hand, the loving intent behind every caress and trace. These false wings only felt a ghost of the sensation.

Would a ghost be enough? Would he need more?

Shadow Milk Cookie had taken his real wings because it was the easiest way to control a faerie. Without their true wings intact, they wilt and die.

“Grapevine, you look stupid.” Apple Faerie remarked, walking next to them, “literally, just use your legs.”

“Shut up,” Grapevine said, “I’m enjoying the privilege of having a knight as a partner.”

“You clearly don’t need that privilege. If anything, you should be carrying him, he looks tired.” The smaller faerie looked up at Silverbell with a look he’d never seen on her face, then blinked, eyes going wide in realization.

She seemed to know something (that’s a first) that he didn’t. It didn’t seem like it was good.

“Did you know, I heard a rumor about the Fount of Knowledge.” Grapevine said,

“Really?” Pure Vanilla walked next to Silverbell, “what was it.”

“I heard they were the first Faerie, and that Elder Faerie took their wings from them in return for helping with the construction of the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. That’s why faeries are easier to control for Shadow Milk Cookie. It’s his ancient magic that gives them their wings.”

“Where did you hear this?” Silverbell asked, squeezing one of Grapevine’s legs from where he held them,

“I… I’m actually not sure…” that was out of character. Did Black Sapphire, of all cookies, forget where he got his information?

They walked in silence for a moment before Pure Vanilla offered to carry Apple Faerie.

“Could your back not like… break?” She asked, “isn’t that how old people work?”

Black Sapphire wheezed so hard he was breathless, his silent laughs sounding more like a kettle than anything,

“Apple Faerie…” Pure Vanilla paused to chuckle, “I may be an ancient, but that doesn’t mean I’m old,”

“You act like you’re 80.”

“You act like you’re 5, what’s your point?” Black Sapphire remarked, earning a gasp from his sister and another laugh from both his boyfriend and Pure Vanilla.

“NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU-“

“It really kinda is,” Grapevine smirked at their sister, but paused as they heard Silverbell panting.

“Silvie, are you okay?” They asked, pressing a kiss to his head,

“Just a little winded,” Silverbell sighed, “it’s fine, I can usually carry you longer-“

Grapevine flew out of his arms and scooped him up instead, “Nuh-uh, no neglecting yourself.”

Pure Vanilla gave him an approving nod, and Apple Faerie just made a fake gagging gesture, pointing into her mouth.

“We’re here,” White Lily chirped up, “this place has a view of the entire kingdom. Perfect for picnics and tea and just sitting together.”

It had been a long walk through the forest but it was worth it. They were at a mossy ledge, surrounded by lush foliage and soft grass that overlooked the Faerie Kingdom. The Silver Tree gleamed in the center, surrounded by shops and stores of everything from toys to produce, then hotels and restaurants, followed by the next ring of houses.

“This is beautiful…” Grapevine Faerie mumbled, their wings twitching a bit in excitement.

“How did you find this?” Silverbell asked,

“I was just wandering and stumbled upon this,” White Lily smiled, “shall we move on? The next one is a restaurant.”

“Sure,” Silverbell grinned.

White Lily magicked them to the bottom of the mountain, into the residential area, because she didn’t feel like walking all the way.

“Okay, so it’s downtown, and it’s called the ‘Silver Nectar Diner’,” she explained as she led them down the winding paths between houses, “it’s not really a diner, but they have wonderful licorice pasta and gumdrop risotto. They also have bear jellies.” White Lily smiled as she saw Apple Faerie perk up.

“Do you feel like eating, or do you just want to see it?” Pure Vanilla asked,

“We just want to see it,” Grapevine said, glancing at Silverbell at his side to see if he agreed with that, receiving a little nod in return,

They turned a corner and a large, antique looking restaurant came into view. Ornate silver tiles lined the roof, and tea lanterns hung from fork lampstands.

“There it is. I don’t have much to say,” White Lily shrugged, “That hotel over there is nice if you plan on that or something, but that’s all for this one. This last one is my favorite.

~~~

(POV switch: Black Sapphire/Grapevine Faerie Cookie)

White Lily Cookie led them to the Silver Tree. The line of guards parted to let her through and she pointed up to a thick bough.

“Can you fly us up there?” Grapevine Faerie, Silverbell and Apple Faerie nodded.

Grapevine and Apple took Pure Vanilla (he was a heavy guy) and Silverbell agreed to take White Lily.

Mid flight, Grapevine glanced over to see Silverbell faltering,

“Bell, are you alright?!” He called out,

“Yeah!-“ Silverbell’s voice was strained,

“You don’t sound very alright,” Sapphire pointed out,

“I’m fine!” Silverbell said, “Better than I’ve ever been-“ his words got slower and breathier as he spoke. Then his eyes slipped shut. Both him and White Lily fell out of the sky.

Black Sapphire immediately dropped his disguise (and Pure Vanilla), rushing to his plummeting partner.

Several Faerie Knights called out, reporting a threat to General Regal Knight Cookie, but paused for some reason.
In the meantime, Black Sapphire Cookie’s gem minions flew over to slow White Lily and Pure Vanilla’s descent and Apple Faerie just watched in mild horror.

The brat knew something he didn’t. Fuck her.

Pools of purple-eyed darkness cushioned Pure Vanilla and White Lily’s landing as Apple Faerie glided down to check on them. Black Sapphire landed heavily, lacking his usual grace and he frantically checked Silverbell’s vitals from a tutorial being read in real time by the head gem minion.

“Please…” he breathed after confirming that Silverbell had just fainted, not died, “wake up.”

The Faerie Guard rushed him, headed by Regal Knight Cookie,

“Unhand Silverbell Cookie NOW!” She called out, already getting ready to throw her spear,

Black Sapphire didn’t move, still cradling Silverbell, but a tendril of purplish black swatted at Regal Knight Cookie. Soon the whole guard was charging him while he sat on his haunches and rocked back and forth, wings twitching and flapping in panic, mumbling soft things to Silverbell, trying to get him to wake up.

White Lily watched in a mix of horror and confusion.

He vaguely noticed her ask Pure Vanilla why he wasn’t going for her or the tree, to which Pure Vanilla replied with a gesture to Silverbell and “The tree is the last thing on his mind right now, if he’s even thinking about it.”

The eyes in his hair opened up as he concentrated on keeping the guard off him,

“Please, Bell…” he mumbled, “wake up, you’re scaring me,”

A tendril wrapped around a knight that got a bit too close for comfort and simply pushed him away.

He could already hear the knights murmuring.

“Why isn’t he killing us?”

“He’s not aggressive?”

“He’s just… sitting there…”

“What’s his strategy?” Sapphire heard Regal Knight mumble.

“Please, Bell…” he mumbled into Silverbell’s hair, “wake up.”

Silverbell’s wing twitched. Everything paused. All the chaos stopped because of one little movement.

Then silence.

Chapter Text

Death was staring Silverbell straight in the face. It was ethereal, not like the horrifying depictions everyone believed in. She looked kind, with sympathetic eyes. She was on her haunches, stroking his hair and rocking back and forth. It was a familiar movement. Didn’t Black Sapphire do that when he was panicking?

A sharp feeling spliced him in the back, the same agony he felt when Shadow Milk ripped off his wings. His false wing twitched. Death froze. The hazy shouting around him quieted down, giving him air to think.

What was death exactly?

Was it an end, a beginning, a pathway? An old friend, or a stranger, come to drag the damned off to hell? A friendly face, or the creature that spawned everything unholy?—

“Please Bell!-“

— the wet sob broke through his cluttered mind like a stone falling into water. Who was that? He sounded beautiful. Silverbell knew him, loved him.

Death’s hands tightened on the stumps of his wings. She was behind him. The person holding him was someone else. An Angel. Silverbell curled up and winced. He felt so numb. It was cold.

So cold.

The gentle arms cradling him hugged him close as more desperate sobs broke through the fog in his mind.

“—Wake up!—“ Silverbell looked up at the Angel. He was sobbing.

“—Please!—“ He looked hopeless.

“—don’t leave me..—“ Silverbell wanted to stay. The Angel would love him.

But he was so tired.

He couldn’t do this.

His body was rejecting the magic running through his veins.

It was like poison.

He let out a shaky breath as Death embraced him from behind and the Angel on its haunches hugged tighter. He’d do his best to stay alive for a while. Just for the Angel.
His hands moved to pet it’s wings and it shook with a sob.

“I’m sorry.” The Angel whispered in a familiar voice he remembered hearing on the radio station.

“I love you,” Silverbell breathed, “Black Sapphire Cookie.”

Death smiled at him from behind, waiting for him to let go;

To take him away.