And the Halls Echo with Your Silence || A Cookie Run Kingdom Fanfiction

4- Dark Choco

T/W (I think)-
Swearing (in story and slightly in A/N), Affogato is Earthbread's worst advisor
<<3 months later>>

    "Dark Choco?"

    Silence. The only answer volunteered was mildly more aggressive tapping against the hilt of his sword and the tiny echo of it.

    "Dark Choco! ATTENTION!"

    The sudden order made the ex-prince startle, and he barely refrained from standing and saluting.

    At times, he nearly forgot how assertive Red Velvet Cookie could be. The general, though young, had a certain dominating aura that made Dark Choco Cookie almost want to bow.

    "Dark Choco," Red Velvet said.

    "Yes?"

    "You didn't hear a word I said, did you.." the commander sighed.

    The silence from Dark Choco was more than enough to answer his question. Red Velvet shrugged lightly. "Again.."

    Yet there wasn't a hint of real complaint in his voice, almost more like he was teasing him.

    This was one of the reasons why Dark Choco Cookie liked Red Velvet Cookie so much— although he was often serious and unyielding, the Cake was a bit more receptive with him. He treated Choco affectionately, like a younger brother, despite Dark Choco being usually so distant and reticent, so callous, so cold to the world.

The sound of metal quietly scraping metal. He winced at the sound, and Red Velvet Cookie casted a glance of apology.

Just his own saw being set into his sheath. Nothing more. It wasn't like some sort of fight, some sort of battle- not nearly as loud, as fierce.

The waters were calm. Clear skies, calm waters. Clear skies, calm waters.

"Erm- we're to go over drills, then?"

As he called them, although they were less 'drills' and more 'play with both freshly baked and older Cake Hounds for hours on end but it's excused'.

He stood up and tossed his cape behind him, relieved that Red Velvet was alright with them 'doing drills' together.

    He was almost family to him.

    Almost.

    Almost like a brother, like a father.

    But never quite, never quite the same as a real father. A father Dark Choco had been trained by. A father Dark Choco had been raised by. A father Dark Choco trusted.

    A father Dark Choco loved.

    Loved. Not loves, loved.. right? He was in no true way indebted to his father, why should he act like it!

    "'Mhm- sure- yeah."

    Love... although albeit, perhaps just the slightest bit missed, it certainly wasn't necessary. Like an old trinket. Like watching the last flowers blow in the wind. Like watching snow fall. Never truly needed..

    Right?

    Missed, just missed, nothing more, was nothing more, should be nothing more!

~~~

Dear Dark Cacao Cookie,

    Firstly, greetings, my friend! How is everything? You're well? Unhurt?

It's been quite some time, hasn't it! Months have passed since we've last met, and I'd worry you'd died, should messengers and your kingdom not have assured me otherwise.. perhaps some time we could