Cookie Rehabilitation Program

CH11: Nightmares and hounds

Crepe woke up startled. They were sweating from a nightmare they had. They knew it was childish to be so scared over this, but they felt fear over a dream. Enchantress would be disappointed.

They didn't know what time it was when they sat up but decided to get a drink of water before going back to sleep. It was still dark out so it had to be really early or really late.

Yesterday had ended without any issues. They, mostly Madeleine, ordered a bunch of more stuff after eating at the bakery. Nothing really stuck out to them personally. It was mostly furniture for their new room. The only thing they personally asked for was a dark grey bean bag chair. They went home soon after that where they all ate dinner together before Crepe went to bed early. Crepe was excited to work on the clock they had got with Madeline in the future.

They got out of their bed without a sound. They approached their door but paused to see if they could hear anything. There was no shuffling as far as they could hear. They left their room silently and made their way down the stairs. They paused when they got to the bottom of the steps and heard the sound of Madeleine humming to himself. They froze but curiosity got the best of them as they decided to see what he was up to at this hour.

They peaked around a corner and saw Madeleine in a set of pajamas sitting on the couch. His hair was up in a ponytail. Crepe was surprised at how early he was up before remembering that he had a job as a knight. He probably woke up early daily. Crepe turned to leave but they didn't move fast enough.

"Kid?" They flinched at the sound of Madeleine's voice. "Are you okay? You're up early."

"I'm fine." They paused before deciding to be honest. They felt bad for lying. "I just had a bad dream."

"Oh I see. I used to have them a lot too." He patted the seat next to him on the couch. "Wanna sit with me? I can make some hot cocoa?"

They wanted to say no and go back to bed but the idea of hot chocolate won them over. They had it once, not too long after when they were first awakened, and they got sick. Red velvet bargained with some cookies against Dark enchantresses orders to get it for them.

It was the sweetest thing they have ever tasted in that castle.

They sat down next to him without a word. Madeline smiled softly at this and got up to go to the kitchen. Crepe heard him hum a song as he moved around the kitchen and fumbled with the various machines. Crepe would have to ask about them all another time. Espresso might know a bit about them.

When he came back it was with two mugs. He had one in each hand as he put them both on the table. One was pastel pink and the other was a soft cream like color.

Madeline picked up the cream one and took a drink before speaking. "I hope you like the mug. Espresso picked it out. He likes having color coded mugs so I don't," Madeleine held one hand up in sarcastic quotations, "'Taint his coffee mugs with my sugary abominations'."

Crepe huffed in amusement at his bad impression of Espresso. They took their mug off the table and inhaled the scent of the cocoa. They remembered the time red velvet went out of his way to give them some hot cocoa when they were sick and smiled even more.

They felt warm inside. The mug and Madeleine making the hot cocoa for them made them feel really warm. They felt...happy? That wasn't it completely. There's a better word for it. They didn't know what the word for it would be though. Wanted? Loved? Their eyes are widened at that thought. No. Not that. Not yet. They decided the best word would be cared for.

They slowly drank as to not burn their tongue. It wasn't even scalding hot. It was pleasantly warm. They happily ignored the way Madeleine seemed to perk up when they smiled.