( Even after things are all said and done, Pure Vanilla truly has his work cut out for him. It's been a while since the events at Beast Yeast, and yet there's still much to do. He's always been motivated to help those around him, and that's not something that he thinks would ever change. It's the core of his very being, the reason that he's become who he is now.

He's overjoyed that his friends seem to be safe, and yet -- things have concluded in a way that he couldn't have foreseen. The relationship that Shadow Milk and himself had had was... complicated at first, to say the least. And yet, the closeness that both himself and the other share at this point in time is something he's never shared with anyone else. There's still much to learn about one another, but they have time. Pure Vanilla makes it a point to look after him when he can. He's always enjoyed looking after others, and yet... the time he's shared with his other half is one that he can't help but truly enjoy.

The important thing now is to enjoy what peace that he and the others can. The Vanilla Kingdom was supposed to be a haven for all to find just that, after all.

By the time he makes his way to the room, it's gotten rather late (for himself, anyways) and he's ready to turn in for the night. And despite it being his room as well as Shadow Milk's, he'll knock softly regardless-- )

Shadow Milk Cookie? I'm coming in.

[Shadow Milk "behaves" himself, more or less. He isn't going out and causing mass hysteria and throwing people into the Torment Dimension for funsies anymore. Really, he's lost an enormous amount of his power after the end of that War. His Soul Jam never quite recovered. Sure he's still a renouned mage and his abilities exceed even the most studied scholar, but he's not longer capable of warping time, or tearing someones mind to pieces. Of creating mass illusions of peoples worst nightmares. You get the idea.]

[Shadow Milk being kept int he Vanilla Kingdom was probably one met with scrutiny, and at the start Shadow Milk hated every moment of it. He still didn't want Vanilla's kindness, and his wounds from the battle, both physical and mental, had left him bitter and angry. But, over time he had begun to heal and he and Vanilla had grown to understand each other properly, without Shadow Milk trying to deny him at every turn. Things were going ...nicely, he supposes.]

[Until something odd began to happen. Something that he hasn't really dealt with since he'd gotten his new body, but he recalls that mad scientist laughing to himself about the Features it had. Hm. If he ever finds that man again he'll string him up in the town square.]

[So, as Pure Vanilla knocks and announces his presence, he will find the room dark. Dark in a supernatural kind of way, like the shadows themselves are alive, which they are. Shadow Milk is nowhere to be seen, but the shadows move and writhe, and several eyes open to look at him.]

You're back early. Did you miss me?

( Of course, despite all of the trust that the others had in him, there were no denying the hesitations that were murmured through the kingdom. However, the kingdom was founded with the belief that all would be welcomed, no matter their past, nor would he ever turn his back away from anyone that needed help.

Everything was... still an ongoing process, but things were far easier than they were before. Ultimately, his end goal was to truly understand and help ease Shadow Milk's loneliness, no matter how long it would take.

After closing the door, he'll take off his hat. There's familiarity in the way he's greeted at this point in time, and he simply smiles for a moment before speaking. )

The study did feel rather empty without you! Are you hiding, Bluebird?

[Well, there would sure be an opportunity for that soon.]

[Of course, to that question there's a funny little moment of hesitation before Shadow Milk's laugh rings out in the room around them.]

Am I? You can see me, can't you?

[He slowly begins climbing out of the shadows, raising out of the floor so that he can slide his hands around Pure Vanilla. His hair, and other tendrils forming of the shadows also do the same. Vanilla will feel it, that Shadow Milk feels awfully warmer than usual. He's always run cold.]

[Shadow Milk leans in right against is ear.]

Is this better?

( It's a dramatic greeting as it always is, but it's not unwelcome at all. Rather -- he relaxes upon feeling those hands around him almost instantly. But, it only takes him seconds to realize how warm he truly feels to the touch. How could he not? They've always been opposites in that sense -- Pure Vanilla's body always warm to the touch. With how openly affectionate he's being, the familiar warmth that he's felt before. Perhaps he's overassuming, and yet -

He reaches, hands easily resting against hips. Thumbs circle around clothed skin easily, but he can't help but stop. His words are soft, quiet: )

You're warm. Have you been waiting long like this...?

Edited 2026-02-16 06:17 am (UTC)

[He basks in that contact for a moment, wants to curl around him until every inch of him is touching every inch of Vanilla. His body aches for him in a way he's never felt before.]

[He scoffs a little.]

This body was created by the hands of someone with a few screws loose. He proudly boasted that he added some quirks to it after giving it to me. I imagine this is one of those "features" he mentioned.

[He breathes him in, deep, right against his skin.]

( .... Ah--

He feels the way his face heats up at that mention, turning his head away a bit from the other. Certainly, that-- is not the improvement that they were hoping for. But, the feeling of Shadow Milk against him is more than he bargained for. There's a feeling he gets when they're so close to one another like this -- as though a piece of him that was missing finally found him. He'd never grow tired of it. )

I am certain we could find the doctor again! He has certainly given you more than you bargained for.

But, for now--

( He pushes himself closer -- squeezing hips gently - lips pressing against the others in a brief, yet sweet kiss. )

There is no harm in indulging one another.

[He comes even close and the feeling is maddening now. How badly he wants Vanilla, how his skin is aching for his touch, how instincts are pounding at the back of his mind. He needs him, and its taking every ounce of his self control not to press his claws into him and tear off his stupid robes-]

If we found him again there wouldn't be much keeping me from twisting his head from his deranged little neck, I'm afraid-

[The kiss sets him off, and though Vanilla pulls away a moment to speak, he is answered by Shadow Milk dragging him back in for another, but this one much more intent, hungry.]

I might not be able to stop, if you indulge me. Not until this body gets what it wants. Do you understand?

( He could comment that there are far better solutions then what Shadow Milk is entertaining -- but then, the conversation seems to drop as soon as their lips meet, and any thoughts he had at that moment are drowned out by another feelings entirely.

It's funny, isn't it? He's always felt drawn to him, but he hadn't known that it would be in the sweetest, most intimate way that one could be connected with someone. Even now, he can feel his heart begin to race, and he presses another kiss to lips, and then another. )

My other half -- I am here for everything you need.

( One hand moves, carefully - fingers brushing against souljam, the other resting on the small of his back. )

Once we do start, I am afraid that the both of us may very well lose control.