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“GET AWAY FROM ME!”
He shoved Hollyberry off with as much force as his dough could muster, eyes briefly overtaken by a faint shadow of the darkest blue, breaths ragged and unsteady.
She had asked for just too much. Asked the wrong question.
And all he could see in the moment was blue. A twisted, bright blue. Inserting itself in his perception like an unwanted guest he couldn’t get rid of no matter how hard he tried.
Hollybery’s shoulders fell as she dropped her outstretched hand. A shadow came over her expression as dread pooled in his stomach.
He said something he shouldn’t have, he made them angry.
The hall felt too small, too enclosed. His cloak suddenly felt heavier than before, as if it was trying to drag him to the floor.
He needed to leave.
Leaving makes it worse.
He wanted to look away, shut his eyes.
Don’t you dare look away from me.
To run.
I’ll catch you.
To escape.
To where, little lamb?
Now APOLOGIZE.
“I’m-I-I’m sorry…! I…I shouldn’t have said anything. Please, forgive me.”
She began to take a step towards him. A chill ran up his spine as he took a step back in return. Small steps, one at a time.
But he wasn’t fast enough to out pace Hollyberry Cookie. And before he knew it, his back hit a wall.
Hands pressed against the wall, gripping the stones as a lifeline, his mind raced as his body trembled in sheer terror. His breathing was too fast, too frantic.
He took a risk and shut his eyes as tight as he could, praying that it would grant some form of sanctuary. He could feel the proximity now. His back was pressed firmly against the stone as tears slipped down his cheeks, still trying to create distance between him and his punishment.
She’s right in front of him now. So close, he could almost feel the outer layers of her dress brush against his front.
The tears feel cold against his face and he stills– as much as his body will allow him to –ready for…
Well, he doesn’t even want to imagine it at all.
Don’t move. It’ll hurt. It has hurt. I’m sorry. Pleaseno. IfIstaystillit’llhurtless.It’llbeoversoon.Nononononono.
I’m scared…I don’t–
Warmth.
Gentle arms wrapped around his small form, separating him from his thoughts.
His hands released themselves from the wall and found a spot to rest on the puffed skirt Hollyberry always wore.
“I’m sorry, Pure Vanilla. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s okay, I’m not mad.”
Pure Vanilla Cookie’s hands tightened on the fabric as she tenderly rubbed his back. He didn’t even notice he’d started legitimately crying until he felt the wet fabric in front of his face.
“I should’ve listened the first time. I know I can be insistent at times. I just wanted to know if you were okay. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“Mhmn” He nodded, burying his face into her shoulder as he cried.
Hollyberry let him. Holding Pure Vanilla in her arms as he sobbed, his body shaking against hers.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”, she whispered. He froze.
“I don’t entirely know what happened at Shadow Milk’s spire,” Pure Vanilla flinched at the mention of the Beast’s name and she held him tighter in response, “but I’m so sorry you had to be alone. You don’t ever have to tell me– or any one of us if you don’t want to –what happened, but just know we’re here for you now.”
Hollyberry pulled away slightly to look into Pure Vanilla’s eyes, “It’s going to be okay, I promise. I– no –We won’t let anything happen like that to you again.”
“You…really? You’re not lying to me?” he breathed.
“I would never, my dear comrade!” Hollyberry grinned at him.
And for once in a long while, Pure Vanilla genuinely smiled. He’d be okay.
His friends were truly by his side, after all.