Better (Pure Vanilla Cookie x Reader)

5

"Woah!" (C/F) Cookie gapes at the sheer height of the shelves of the palace library. There seemed to be an endless number of them, all stuffed with old, thick tomes. They totally underestimated just how massive this library could be. And they thought the Graham Library was big! They could fit the entire building in here–maybe even twice–and still have plenty of space!

Beside them, Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckles. "You are welcome to read anything you'd like. And I'd be happy to explain anything you come across."

"Thank you!" Their response is a bit louder than they'd like. It echoes around the large room faintly. They're just that amazed by the sight.

He leads the way into the looming rows of bookshelves, "Let's see..." He pulls a book from one, "Oh! This should be rather basic. Admittedly most of the material in here is on healing..."

"Works for me." They shrug. That's the kind of magic he is famous for so that makes sense. They're not going to complain. It just means he can probably answer any of their questions on it.

He smiles faintly and hands it to them. "You are welcome to keep these. All they're doing here is gathering dust."

"I think Strawberry Crepe Cookie would kill me if I started a library in the Hangar."

"Oh? Are you staying in the Hangar with Strawberry Crepe Cookie?" He asks. He hasn't been carrying his staff around them before, so now that he has it they feel very judged by its unusual eye. It's like it sees the darkest recesses of their soul, even the parts that not even they knew existed.

"Uh, yeah." They nod somewhat nervously. Is that a bad thing?!

"I'm glad they're not spending all their time there by themself." His smile brightens, which prompts his staff to get this almost smug look that is so uncanny (C/F) Cookie feels their dough crawl.

"Yeah..." They lower their gaze to the cover of the book in an attempt to remove the orchid's expression from their mind. It doesn't work. "So, uh, yeah. I'll bring this back before I get a new one..."

"Alright." Pure Vanilla Cookie replies—they still aren't looking at him so they don't know what his expression is. "Please let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to help."

"Will do." They nod timidly. They've never had anyone answer their questions without a "didn't you learn that in school" which makes conversation very awkward. They raise their gaze to his face, hoping to keep that stupidly creepy flower out of even their peripherals.

"I'll show you the way back to the front gates." He smiles, "Unless you want to look around a little more."

"No, it's ok." They shake their head, "It's not like I won't ever be coming back, and it's getting pretty late already."

"Alright." His grin brightens at the reminder that they'll be back. "This way." He leads the way down the stairs leading up to the library (which is in its own little tower inside), down an empty hall, opening the door at the end to the corridor passing a massive chapel, turning right, crossing another hall, passing the kitchens and dining room, and continuing to the entrance of the castle. They are glad he is guiding them; they would've gotten hopelessly lost otherwise.

(C/F) Cookie dips their head as they step towards the large doors, still clutching the tome in their hands. "Thanks." They mean it.

"It is no trouble at all." He shakes his head, still smiling warmly, "I am happy to help. Please stop by anytime for more books."

"I definitely will." They nod. "Uh, bye." They turn to go.

"Farewell." He says. They can feel that piercing eye stay on them until there is a door between it and them.