Tales Of A Lonely Moment [ Cookie Run: Kingdom ]

Recital X: What Did I Say About Falling In Love?

The warmth of the sun washed over his face as he squinted, trying to remember where he was. It came back to them almost immediately; they were on a train with Gingerbrave, on their way to The Kingdom.

With Gingerbrave.

He reached over to wake his- well, gods, boyfriend doesn't even cut it. He was their best friend, their closest ally, someone they'd been with for what felt like forever.
He flushed at the thought. Gods above and below, when did he get all sappy?
Wizard shook the other softly, who groaned in protest. They huffed, ripping the old quilt off of him.
"Get up, asshole." Wizard frowned. Brave rolled onto his back, grumblingonce more. He didn't open his eyes.
"For the love of the sea goddess, Brave, get up." Wizard folded his arms, waiting. Realizing he wasn't going to move, they had an idea.
They pushed themselves off the hardwood train floor and pulled the door open. The sound of the tracks grew louder, which caused Gingerbrave to jump up in surprise.
"What are you-?!" Brave exclaimed, before Wizard shoved the door closed again.
"Maybe you should get up next time."
"Aw, c'mon, Starboy." Gingerbrave grinned sleepily. He looked like he'd only just gone to sleep. Wizard reddened at the nickname, fixing his scarf before muttering out his response;
"..whatever, Brave."
"Did you sleep well last night?" Wizard was momentarily confused by his question- why was that important?
"Yeah...why?"
"I did not." Gingerbrave laughed. "I had a nightmare and didn't fall asleep until... maybe an hour ago?"
"..what about?" Wizard slumped down next to Gingerbrave, obvious concern plastered onto his face.
"It's nothing, really. Not important." Wizard began to protest, but Gingerbrave made a sudden movement and kissed him on the cheek. The other cookie sputtered, attempting to process what had just happened.

Now, if they were a machine, that would have counted as a malfunction. It sure did feel that way. Their face was hot as Gingerbrave simply smiled at them. His smile was warm and caring, so much like it had been when they were kids. Nothing had really changed, had it?
"..stupid." was all they managed to get out. Gingerbrave snorted, tugging them over by their robe and pulling them towards him. He rested onto his shoulder, a small smile forming onto his face as he closed his eyes.
"Stop worrying so much, Starboy." Gingerbrave snickered. "I'm fine, honest. Just glad you're here with me."
Wizard stared for a moment, his face burning.
"Jesus, Brave-.." He sat up, burying his head in his hands. "You gotta stop saying things like that out of nowhere.."
"Aw, why?" Gingerbrave pouted. He didn't seem to be looking for a real answer. The other only glared. "Aw, you know you love me."
"...'course I do, stupid." Wizard's voice was muffled, having shoved his face into his knees. "I love you."
Genuinely not expecting that, Gingerbraves heart raced.
Why? They were together now, he'd said this before, when they were kids, but..

But this was different.

They went silent for a moment, listening to the train squeal as it slowed into the station. A station they hadn't seen in years.
The train station that rested at the place they'd lived for years.

They were finally home.

They waved goodbye to the conductor and set on their way down the hill. Nothing, and everything, had changed. It still looked the same; the same small countryside kingdom.
Gingerbrave grabbed Wizard by the hand and dragged them through the gates. A figure stepped forward to greet them, but paused, confusion forming on his face.
"..and who are you two?" Adventurer tilted his head, a bewildered grin across his face.
"You don't recognize us?" Wizard said slowly. Adventurer hesitated, then shook his head.
"Nope." The older cookie shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting for them to introduce themselves.
"It's..us. Gingerbrave and Wizard." Brave smiled. Adventurer's eyes immediately lit up, the confusion fading into excitement.
"No shit? Really?!" He folded his arms, tilting his head in the direction of the rest of the kingdom. "Well, come on you two, it's been forever!"
Addie led them to the middle of town, where Rye Cookie and Sparkling Cookie were conversing. The two looked over at the small group, their expressions turning muddled.
"Who's this, Ads?" Rye looked them up and down sternly.
"Our dear king, and Wizard."
"Still not a ruler, Addie. That name doesn't belong to anyone." Gingerbrave frowned at the title. Rye's face softened. Gingerbrave noticed she didn't have her signature hat on. Her golden-orange hair wasn't braided either; just left draped down her shoulders.
"So what's with, ah, this?" Sparkling's eyes glittered, pointing at Wizard and Gingerbrave, who's hands were still laced together. It took the two a moment to figure what he was talking about.
"Well, ain't that something, huh?" Rye snickered. Wizards face felt hot, but Gingerbrave just laughed.
" 'ey, where's Chili Pepper? She not come with you?" Rye raised a brow and fumbled with her hair.
"Nope. Said she was done traveling that length, 'cause we went to the Hollyberry kingdom first. I don't blame her." Gingerbrave shrugged.
"Damn."
"Relax, you'll probably see her eventually anyways." Brave slipped out of Wizards hand and folded his arms. Wizards hand, for only a moment, lingered in the air, then fell to his side.
Gods, he'd wanted to hold on forever. How many times had the hanging in the air happened, everytime Brave let go?
Twice now, he supposed.

"...Brave?"
Both were laying in the grass, looking up at the bright spring sky.
"Yeah?"
"What have you been doing, all these years?"
There was silence, and for a moment, Wizard wondered if he'd asked something he shouldn't have.
"..Not much." Gingerbrave said finally. "Helped Pepps with.. well, y'know." He added the last bit with a laugh.
"Aye, don't let Rye hear you." The mage smiled.
"She knows." Gingerbrave stated.
"Really? Unlike her to ignore it."
"Yeah, well, she and Chili Pepper-"
"Are getting along?"
"..are, uh, yeah. They're getting along. Bit more then getting along, really."
"..oh?"
"Yup." Gingerbrave sat up, still staring at the sky. "What about you?"
Wizard hesitated. What could he say? That he'd been injuring himself trying to become stronger? That he hadn't slept in weeks? That he worked for what was basically the magic-wielders government?

"Just..catching up with work and school, really. We were in town for...business."
"Lame." Gingerbrave grumbled. "That sounds bo-ring."
Wizard finally pushed himself up from the ground, laughing.
"You don't change, do you?" He snickered. "Just like how you were when we were younger."
"You haven't changed a bit either!" Gingerbrave mock-pouted. Wizard rolled her eyes, moving around so that her legs were crossed.
"Y'know what this reminds me of?" Wizard had a thought. "When we'd sneak out into the fields to look at the stars."
Gingerbrave paused, before spitting out;
"Gods, we were so obvious to everyone but eachother, weren't we?"
They both laughed at the statement, for it was true. Neither had been able to tell the other liked them back; but everyone else had. Well, according to their sisters.
"Do you remember when we visited the Mala Tribe?" Gingerbrave smirked, making Wizard grimace at the sight.
"Okay, for one, please never do that again." Wizard frowned. Gingerbrave made a face, remembering his dream, but it faded before the other saw. "And two, yeah."
"The soup was pretty funny." Gingerbrave grinned innocently. Wizard immediately glared.
"It was not!" He protested. "It hurt! It was spicy as hell!"
"Oh, come on! You have to admit it was funny. The Tribe thought it was." He smiled, raising a brow. Wizard only huffed.
"Whatever. I bet you think fighting us was funny too?"
"Of course not." Gingerbrave scrunched his face together in disgust. "That sucked."
"Good." Wizard smiled. It was Gingerbraves turn to glare at the other, who just laughed.
There was more silence. It was peaceful, sitting here with eachother. Nobody else but them.
It was good to be home.

"Hey, you two seen Wizard and Gingerbrave?" Sparkling and Mint Choco looked up. Rye stood against the door frame, her arms folded under her chest.
"They seemed to have wandered off. Weird for them, dontcha think?"
"I'm.. not sure? They might be in the woods." Mint Choco sipped whatever was in his cup and nodded towards the trees. Rye groaned, stepping back outside. Chili was so much better at dealing with the little shits than she was, for whatever reason.
"They're in the forest, middle of a field, fell asleep on top of each other. Well, their positioning and minor movement leads me to believe they're asleep."
Rye looked up. On the roof of the bar, sat Ninja.
"Howdy. Why do you know this?"
"I was looking for Werewolf. Stumbled upon them instead."
" 'aight. I suppose we should leave them alone." Rye held her hand above her eyes and watched the sunset. Before she could say anything else, Ninja had disappeared again. How very like xem.

Wizard didn't want to move. He didn't need to anyways, but even if he did he wouldn't. Gingerbrave payed on his chest, softly snoring. He seemed so peaceful. It was a calming moment, just watching himself and the other breath. The sun would be fully set in a half hour or so; the day had gone by so quickly.
Gingerbrave maneuvered in his sleep, positioning himself probably not on purpose face first into Wizards. Impulsively, the mage kissed the top of his partners head and closed their eyes. The crickets started chirping in the night, and were the last thing they heard before they dozed off, still laying in the grass.