Exasperation

20 | Not Necessarily a Latte

He began to knock on every door before recognizing the one he had been in. He shuddered and kept peeking through each door.

Espresso heard the door opening grow close, he hadn't suspected who'd it be yet. His honest initial guess would've at least been Licorice. Licorice seems to be everywhere.

Madeleine finally swung open his door. Espresso stared in utter confusion as Madeleine tip toed in and closed the door.

"Now, I, Madeleine have come here to save you."

Madeleine puffed his chest proudly.

Espresso averted his gaze, he was honestly embarrassed.
Espresso could faintly hear frantic door opening in the distance.
In a panic, Espresso grabbed Madeleine, weakly. Madeleine squinted at Espressos wrist, he noticed faint chain marks. Madeleine shook his head and looked ahead to where Espresso was guiding him to. Espresso turned back towards Madeleine.
Madeleine was dripping in sweat. Espresso turned back and simply walked outside its doors. Who knew it could've been that easy?

"Espresso-"

Madeleine begun before Espresso had shoved his hand in front of his mouth.
Espresso had used his free hand to point towards the moon. The moon was gorgeous. The bright light spread radiance all over the kingdom. Madeleine smiled back before realizing what he meant. Madeleine panicked and began to run from what seemed to be the moon. Negative. It was actually the group of Cake Hounds Red Velvet forgot to take in.
Both Espresso and Madeleine began running quickly attempting to get as far from the hounds as possible.
Madeleine stumbled over a twig and sent Espresso and himself crashing into the grass. Espresso exhaled the rest of the air in his lungs as Madeleine inhaled the life out of the cold night breeze.

"Espresso, since when we're you so pale?"

Espressos eyes squinted in confusion as he held his face. It was cold; insanely cold.

Espresso breathed into his hand and rubbed both of his hands together.
Madeleine held out his hand. Espresso hesitated, slowly inching his right hand towards Madeleines. Madeleine immediately to his and brought it close to his mouth, blowing warm air onto his hand. Espresso lit up, keeping his hand in his as he kept blowing. Espresso rested his head in his knees. Madeleine sat with his legs crossed on the floor, still lightly blowing air.
Madeleine looked up to find Espresso fast asleep. Madeleine slightly laughed, while standing up; he grabbed Espressos hand, pulling him to his feet. He then swung him into his arms and began walking to a light in the distance.
Madeleine walked until finding a small campsite it seemed. Madeleine looked around, it contained necessities; such as campfire, tent, and water. Madeleine walked slowly towards the tent, faint movement could be heard inside. Madeleine decided to walk towards the other tent.
Before he could speak a cookie emerged from the tent.

"Hello! What are you doing at such a l-"

The cookie stopped mid sentence and looked Madeleine up and down.

"Madeleine? Espresso? What are you two doing at midnight?"

Milk Cookie put his hands on his hips and looked at them, indicating he needed an answer.

"I must speak about it later, I just need to take some rest."

Madeleine spoke, looking down at Espresso who was still clearly passed out.

"Are you perhaps sick? I can help heal an injury!"

Milk exclaimed, touching Espressos hand.

"Oh dear. He is a cold man. No, literally."

Milk stared blankly into Espresso, feeling glad he wasn't awake during his little inspection.

"Please, may we use a tent?"

Madeleine pleaded, slightly frowning in the process.

"I wouldn't mind if you used mine! I'll just have to check with Yam. Please, excuse me."

Madeleine moved out the way in order for Milk to walk towards Purple Yams tent. Milk walked gracefully towards his tent, peeking through.

Milk cookie urged the two to enter his tent. Madeleine took the cue and entered his tent, closing it behind him. He lowered Espresso down before peeking through the tent to find Milk rummaging through a duffel bag, pulling out a small looking gem. Madeleines eyes widened before closing the tent. He turned back to find Espresso sitting up, still asleep though.
Madeleine scooted back and sat next to Espresso. As Madeleine adjusted himself into a more comfortable position Espresso also then began to move, laying on his side, facing Madeleine. Madeleine realized he still had his glasses on, he then very quietly and quickly grabbed the glasses off his face and folded them. He set them at the far corner of the tent and searched frantically at his pockets, he exhaled as though seeming relived once he felt his phone through his back pocket. He turned on his phone to find multiple emails, texts, missed calls, and an amber alert. Madeleine shuddered at the amount of emails he has gotten about his patrolling. He sighed, shrinking down onto his back. Espresso then turned to face the tent, yawning in the process. Madeleine laughed quietly before getting back on his phone. Espresso weakly scoffed, informing Madeleine that he indeed heard him laugh. Madeleine laughed again and covered his mouth. Espresso twisted over, with squinted eyes he weakly pushed Madeleine lightly. Madeleine frowned, turning towards Espresso; pushing his head back down to the floor. Espresso groaned, turning around, he then grabbed Madeleine and pulled him to the floor. Madeleine gasped, turning to grab the pillow behind him, he basically threw his phone lightly to the corner of the room. Grabbing the pillow, he walked Espresso on his head.

"That isn't fair."

Espresso said deeply, still squinting his eyes.

Madeleine laughed at the comment, shoving the pillow in Espressos face. Espresso struggled out, crawling the other side of the tent. He stood up, and practically lunged at Madeleine. Madeleine blocked him with the pillow. Espresso began to start punching the pillow, Madeleine blocking himself as he giggled. Espresso exhaled deeply before collapsing onto the pillow; breathing heavily.

"Where are we? Precisely."

Espresso questioned, still clearly out of breath.

"Milk Cookies tent."

Madeleine responded, not thinking much of it. Espresso gasped.

"Is that why it REEKED of dairy? I thought it was just you."

Espresso frowned, rolling off of Madeleine.

"You know I can't tolerate milk."

"Oh really? It must've slipped my mind."

Madeleine joked; cockily.

Espresso scrunched his nose in slight anger, flicking another coffee bean at Madeleine, it stopping before reaching him.
Espressos eyes widened.

"I am losing strength. We must get home."

Espresso stood up, ready to leave.

"My glasses..?"

Espresso turned to Madeleine who threw a pillow at him.

"You-" Espresso caught the pillow, jumping onto Madeleine with the pillow.
Madeleine yelped, covering his mouth.
Espresso shoved the pillow in his face, attempting to jokingly suffocate him with his little power.
Madeleine laughed non stop as Espresso angrily kept pushing.
Madeleine pushed Espresso off and grabbed him by the pillow.

"Okay, okay. Let's go."