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Chapter Text

Jay had started playing Cookie Run Kingdom again after a long absence and enjoyed all the new Cookies and building up his kingdom. At first, everything in the game was normal. But as time went on, the app began acting strange. Though he brushed off these small occurrences as nothing but new content he had missed. Little did he know they were a sign of what was to come.
Usually, the game would send your phone notifications when you got a free item in your inbox. The item was always a daily freebie that wasn't substantial and would encourage you to play more. It was also paired with a generic message. Letters soon filled his inbox more frequently than before. Offering gifts of dozens of magic cookie cutters, bags of upgrade powders he needed, and tons of in-game currency. Though this wasn't normal, Jay accepted the gifts happily and, at the time, thought it was just a glitch. He didn't report it and hoped it would continue. He wasn't going to turn down free rare items that helped him make his favourite Cookies stronger.
The short messages that popped up with the notification also began to change, and many times the second he closed the game a message popped up. They started out simple, only to become almost desperate for his attention.

We miss you, come play with us!

Feeling lonely? We're here for you. Have a free gift on us!

Come back! There's a gift waiting in your inbox!

We miss you!

We miss you!

I miss you...

Jay had no idea why this didn't tip him off that something was very wrong.

It was late. Jay had already gone through his bedtime routine and was relaxing under the covers, checking on his kingdom one last time before he went to sleep. Jay yawned and stretched.
"Alright, no more playing. I gotta get some sleep." He mumbled. Jay exited the Cookie Run Kingdom app and placed his phone on the bedside dresser. He sighed quietly and turned over, pulling the covers over him and nestling down into the soft, comfortable blankets. Jay was about to drift off when his phone chimed with several loud notifications in rapid succession, startling him.
"Christ, what the hell?" Jay huffed. He sat up quickly and reached for the phone on the nightstand. When he unlocked it, several new notifications from the Cookie Run Kingdom game app popped on his screen. Jay tapped on one of the notifications without reading any of the messages. The app automatically opened. A few moments later, the text "Are you sure?" appeared on the screen with many little hearts and smiley faces around it. Under it were two buttons for "Yes" and "No."
Jay raised a brow and stared at the screen, wondering what he should do. Was this a new content update? He thought about closing the app and dealing with the update in the morning, but curiosity overcame him. Jay tapped the "Yes" button.
"Welcome home." Jay read aloud as the text came on screen. He raised a brow slightly. There must be a new character coming to Kingdom. And that usually meant an event to go with them. Damn, he probably would have to use most of his saved crystals to pull them from the gacha. Not that it was a problem with how much he had stocked piled. Jay wondered what kind of Cookie it would be.
As Jay was spacing out, waiting for the game to load, his phone began to vibrate violently as soon as it hit 100%. He quickly dropped the device onto the covers with a gasp.
"Stop, stop, stop! What the hell!?" Jay yelped. He frantically tried tapping the cancel and back buttons on the touchscreen, but they weren't responding. The phone let out a burst of blinding white light that lit up the entire bedroom like it was the middle of the day. Jay flinched away, shielding himself. He felt a pulling sensation on his body as his mind became hazy and his senses began to fade. Jay blinked repeatedly, desperately trying to bring the focus back to his senses and stay awake. But the light swallowed him whole until his vision was completely obscured, and he blacked out.

As consciousness slowly came to him, the first thing Jay could register around him was the sound of hushed whispers, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. He made a quiet groan in disapproval at being awakened. His head was hurting, his body felt weak and sluggish, and he only wished to go back to sleep.
"Quiet everyone, he's waking up." A gentle, familiar voice said. The other voices in the room ceased their chatter, and a hand softly caressed his cheek, brushing some hair from his face. "You are safe now, Baker." The voice cooed near his ear. "You will feel better in a moment." He said. Jay hummed automatically in response to the soothing voice that was talking to him.
Was he awake, or was he still dreaming? Jay couldn't feel his warm bed under him, but he wasn't uncomfortable either. It was like he was being cradled.
Slowly, he gathered enough energy to peel his eyes open, squinting at the dim candlelight around him. It took a moment for his blurry vision to adjust, then Jay noticed someone hovering over him. Two different colored eyes gazed at him, light blonde hair framing a kind face with a sweet smile that seemed genuine. It was Pure Vanilla Cookie. 
This was definitely a dream. 
Jay's eyes closed in hopes of drifting off to sleep once again. Though the warmth surrounding him felt oddly real to him. As if, somehow, he was actually being held in someone's arms. It felt really nice. He had never experienced this before and almost didn't want it to end. He found himself longing for it to continue. Pure Vanilla continued to speak to him. 
"I can take away the pain. You needn't wake up. Just relax. You're still getting used to your new body." He said quietly while stroking Jay's face gently. Jay's breathing slowed and steadied, making Pure Vanilla smile. He glanced briefly at the other Cookies in the room, then back down at Jay's sleeping expression.
"Sleep well, my Baker." Pure Vanilla whispered before leaning down and kissing Jay's forehead gently. Even though he was so far into his sleep, Jay felt his heart flutter slightly at the affection. He drifted off again, feeling safe and secure in a warm embrace.

Jay groaned as bright sunlight streamed directly onto his face, pulling him from his wonderful dreams. He huffed and pulled the covers over his head to block out the light, trying to go back where he left off in dreamland. The part where Pure Vanilla Cookie was holding him and giving him kisses. Man, he had never wanted that dream to end. 
As much as Jay wanted to get back to sleep, his body wouldn't allow it, and he was forced to sit up in bed groggily. Why was there so much light in his room this morning? He never forgot to close his curtains before bed. Groaning, he reached for his phone on the nightstand to check the time. Except, the edge of the bed wasn't where it usually was. Jay patted around the mattress blindly, refusing to open his eyes fully because of the bright sunlight. The more he searched, however, the worse panic began to set into his chest. This wasn't right.
Jay finally opened his eyes in frustration. His eyes stung momentarily from the light, but as soon as they adjusted, he felt his stomach drop.
He wasn't in his bed at home. He was somewhere completely different and unfamiliar. On his left side were tall, elegant arching windows that made up the wall. One of the windows was open slightly, letting in a pleasant warm breeze that carried the scent of seawater and salt. The room around him, like the king-sized canopy bed, was huge. It was five times the size of his regular one and even more comfortable.
"What..." Jay breathed out. He ran his hands through his messy bed hair. Where was he?! The questions immediately began to pile up, flooding Jay's mind with confusion and anxiety. There was no way this was real. He still had to be dreaming. But to his body, his mind, everything felt real. He rubbed his tired eyes and tried to recall what he did last night, but the memories were fuzzy. Jay's thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock against the big double doors. 
"Baker, are you awake?" A gentle voice called. Jay was too bewildered to answer, and the door opened. Pure Vanilla peeked inside. He smiled instantly when he saw Jay sitting upright in bed. "Oh, good morning, Baker. How are you feeling? I'm happy you're finally awake!" Pure Vanilla said cheerfully. When the Ancient Cookie stepped closer, Jay gasped and scrambled back in fright.
"What the hell is this!?" He shouted. Jay crawled too far and fell off the edge of the bed onto the floor with a surprised yelp.
"Baker!" Pure Vanilla exclaimed worriedly. The Cookie rushed to the other side of the bed and attempted to help pull Jay up despite his struggling. "Please, you must be careful. You're much more fragile now." Pure Vanilla said. He picked Jay up and placed him on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Pure Vanilla asked, running his hands along Jay's arms and checking every inch of his body. Jay quickly pulled away from Vanilla's touch nervously.
"Fragile? W-What do you...?" He trailed off suddenly when he caught sight of his arm. There was no skin or flesh but golden crisp dough. He no longer had fingers but mitten hands with thumbs and hair made of rich black buttercream frosting. Jay had become a Cookie.
Jay wanted to scream, but even as his mouth hung open in disbelief, nothing came out. Pure Vanilla Cookie seemed puzzled by Jay's reaction.
"Baker, is everything alright?" He asked.
"Alright? I'm not alright! T-This shouldn't be happening! You're not supposed to be real, you're a video game character! How can-" Jay halted mid-sentence. Then it dawned on him. "Oh my god, I've been isakaied." He whispered. Pure Vanilla furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head slightly. 
"Isakaied?" He repeated in confusion.
"It... It basically means I've been pulled from my world into yours." Jay answered slowly.
"I don't understand. You seem so surprised. Isn't this what you wanted, Baker?" Pure Vanilla questioned. Jay's brows furrowed, and he slowly turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie.
"What... What do you mean?" He said.
"Don't you remember? We sent you notifications about how we Cookies loved you so much and that we wanted you to come live with us forever. We asked you if you were sure, and you said yes!" Vanilla explained. Jay's mind reeled. The fuzzy memories of that night began to clear, and he remembered how he hadn't read any of the app's notifications before opening the game and blindly agreeing to all of this.
But before Jay could further ask any more questions, the double doors to the room burst open, making him jump in surprise. With a confident stride, another Cookie walked into the room. With unmistakable pink hair tied into buns, a strong physique, and an elegant gown adorned with the hollyberries she was named after, Hollyberry Cookie made her presence known.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie, my friend, what's taking so long? All the Cookies are eagerly waiting to meet the Baker!" Hollyberry Cookie called. Jay stared in silence. It really was Hollyberry Cookie.
Hollyberry's eyes fell on him, and a wide grin spread across her face. She raced around to the other side of the large bed, and with a swift motion, she snatched Jay up into a back-breaking hug.
"Baker! It's good to see you awake. It is an absolute joy to finally meet you in person!" Hollyberry said cheerfully.
"Holly, please be careful with the Baker! He's fragile!" Pure Vanilla protested nervously. Hollyberry Cookie put Jay down and ruffled his black hair leaving him stunned.
"Oh, Vanilla, you worry far too much." She replied. Hollyberry turned her focus back to Jay and pointed a thumb at Pure Vanilla. "You should have seen Vanilla when you first appeared. He wouldn't let you go, not even for a moment." Holly chuckled. The other legendary Cookie's face flushed bright red.
"H-Hollyberry!" He sputtered in embarrassment, causing Holly to laugh loudly. A light blush crept onto Jay's cheeks as well. So that dream he had of Pure Vanilla Cookie hadn't been a dream at all.
"Well, let's not waste any more time!" Hollyberry Cookie said with a clap of her hands. "Come, Baker, everyone wants to meet you." She prompted. 
"E-Everyone?" Jay echoed in confusion.
"That's right. All the Cookies are waiting outside the castle for you," Hollyberry said. Pure Vanilla Cookie offered his hand to Jay, who hesitantly took it and allowed himself to be led to the door while Hollyberry Cookie guided the way. As Jay followed behind her, he marvelled at the grandeur of the castle interior. The walls were painted white stone, and the floor was smooth polished marble. Everywhere he looked, intricate paintings and tapestries covered every inch of the walls. Huge ornate chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings glittered with hundreds of crystal lights, each shining brightly down onto them, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors.
Pure Vanilla Cookie caught Jay's attention, and he turned to see the other Cookie smiling at him with adoration.
"What do you think of the castle, Baker? Does it suit your tastes?" He asked.
"Y-Yeah... it's beautiful." Jay replied.
"That's good! It is your castle, after all. I hope it does you justice." Pure Vanilla said.
"Wait, what? This whole castle is for me?!" Jay exclaimed. He couldn't believe it. An entire castle to himself? Jay was flattered, but it felt a little excessive, especially for him. He was used to a small one-person apartment, and the thought of living in a huge castle made his head spin.
"Why of course! You built it, so there's not a more fitting place for you to live." Hollyberry Cookie said with a giggle. She stopped walking and turned to face him, her eyes sparkling excitedly. "You'll love it here, Baker. I promise." Holly nodded her head confidently.
"... T-Thank you," Jay said softly. "B-But it's just so... much for one person." He admitted. Pure Vanilla Cookie gently squeezed his hand.
"Well, I am always here if you need company, Baker. You won't be lonely." He said. A bright blush spread across Jay's face, and he bashfully avoided Pure Vanilla's pretty eyes.
"... O-Okay." He mumbled.
They continued wandering through the castle until they arrived at the main entrance hall, which was decorated with giant pillars and a set of impressive double doors. The white marble stairs had a deep cobalt blue runner rug covering the steps that led all the way down to the doors. Two giant stained candy glass windows filled the walls beside the door. The sunlight poured in, illuminating everything in the hall with a cascade of colors. The three paused at the top of the grand staircase as Jay was transfixed, staring at everything in amazement.
"Wow..." He whispered quietly. Pure Vanilla's heart skipped a beat when he heard Jay speak in such a spellbound tone. That single word caused Pure Vanilla's cheeks to turn red, and his heart fluttered wildly as he gazed at the adorable Baker, who stood staring up at the windows in awe. Jay closed his eyes and opened his arms, sighing deeply as he felt the warm sunlight hit him. A soft smile formed on his lips. Pure Vanilla Cookie's heart practically melted.
"So precious...!" He whispered to himself.
"I don't think I've felt this good in a long time," Jay commented. Suddenly Hollyberry Cookie cleared her throat loudly to get their attention.
"Come now, let's not dawdle!" She grinned. Jay snapped out of his trance and quickly straightened his posture.
"Right, sorry." He muttered awkwardly. Hollyberry Cookie excitedly dragged Jay down the staircase and past the large double doors that led outside to a fancy walled courtyard decorated with perfectly manicured topiaries and brightly colored flowers. The Fountain of Abundance sat in the middle of the courtyard, and crystal-clear water poured from the top and splashed down its marble tiers into the bottom basin. Past the courtyard gates, Jay could tell there was some sort of celebration going on. Balloons lazily drifted through the air, and he could hear the faint murmur of many voices.
Hollyberry and Pure Vanilla Cookie escorted him to the gates, being careful and considerate as if he were royalty. Every step he took caused the crowd to cheer and applaud his arrival. Jay could feel his cheeks flush with embarrassment as everyone seemed eager to meet him. His head was beginning to hurt as the noise grew louder and louder around him. Eventually, he found himself standing in the middle of a sea of Cookies. A hush instantly fell over the crowd. Jay gulped nervously before looking out to the sea of faces. But as all the Cookies gawked at him, the more Jay's anxiety grew. The silence stretched on. Oh no. Was he supposed to say something important? Did everyone expect him to make a grand entrance or something? No one told him what to do.
"U-Uhh... H-Hi guys..." Jay choked out meekly.
The moment he spoke, the Cookies around him exploded into cheering and began to practically swarm him, talking all at once, greeting him, asking questions, and fighting for his attention. It was like being hit with a brick wall made of pure noise. Not only that, he was getting touched everywhere as the Cookies grabbed his hands and hugged him out of nowhere. 
"We're so happy to see you!" A Cookie shouted.
"Baker! You're finally here!" Another voice cried happily. It only took a second for Jay to become completely overwhelmed. He couldn't breathe. The pressure of the crowd on top of him and the loud sounds around him blended together into an unbearable mess. It all got to be too much as the assault on his senses began to physically hurt.
Jay ripped his hands away from the Cookies forcefully and ran blindly to the only Cookie he knew would protect him from the overwhelming mass of Cookies. The crowd quickly parted to let Jay through, despite them being confused and concerned about why Jay was leaving so suddenly. He dashed straight to Pure Vanilla Cookie and hid behind the taller Cookie, clutching his long flowing cape tightly and burying his face in the soft fabric.
"Oh no, don't hide Baker!" A voice called from the crowd.
"We didn't mean to frighten you, Baker!" Another Cookie said. Pure Vanilla Cookie signalled for the Cookies to lower their voices and keep their distance for a moment. He turned his attention to Jay.
"Baker, are you... shy?" He suggested with an amused tone in his voice. Jay blushed deeply and frowned. Well, when he said it like that, now all he felt was embarrassed.
"I-I'm sorry... It was too much." He stuttered. Never in his life had Jay experienced this amount of intense positive attention. It was completely foreign to him, not that it wasn't flattering. But he felt as though he didn't deserve it. He was just a regular person. He didn't understand why all the Cookies seemed to like him immediately, especially when he hadn't done anything to deserve it.
Jay peeked out of his hiding spot and glanced at all the Cookies gathered in front of him. They all gave him reassuring smiles and waved at him.
"It's alright, Baker. Don't apologize." Pure Vanilla Cookie cooed gently. He shifted and put his arm around Jay's shoulders comfortingly. The contact wasn't unwelcome, but Jay still tensed up slightly. "If anything, I am sorry I did not anticipate that this would happen." He apologized.
"No one is to blame for this. We simply all got a little too excited." Hollyberry said with a laugh. She turned and addressed the crowd of Cookies. "But how could we not! Our dear Baker is with us at last! We should hold a grand banquet so all the Cookies of the Kingdom can join in welcoming the Baker." She proposed enthusiastically.
"That is a wonderful idea Hollyberry." Pure Vanilla agreed.
Loud applause erupted throughout the crowd, followed by shouts of agreement. All of the Cookies started chattering amongst themselves about the massive party happening tonight with plenty of food, drinks and treats for all. Some Cookies even offered to help prepare the feast. Everyone quickly dispersed to prepare for the banquet. With Hollyberry overseeing everything the party would be, without a doubt, a truly magnificent celebration.
As soon as most of the Cookies were gone, Jay slowly stepped out of Pure Vanilla Cookie's protective embrace.
"So... um, what should I do? F-For the party I mean." He asked sheepishly.
"Don't worry. We will handle all the arrangements. Just relax for now, okay?" Pure Vanilla reassured. 
With that, the two headed back inside and walked past the massive entrance doors, entering the castle and passing through many long elegant corridors. The castle had become abuzz with activity as Cookies scurried back and forth, working according to Hollyberry's directions. The party was to start at sunset and go on through the night. The garden in the back of the castle was decorated with string lights and hanging lanterns. Tables were set out in groups of five around the garden with a small stage where a band was already setting up for a performance. All the work was being done while Jay sat on his bed quietly waiting. Pure Vanilla stayed by Jay's side and simply watched him, which made Jay a little flustered. He played with the hem of his shirt.
"Are you sure there isn't anything for me to do? I don't want to just sit here all day." Jay said.
"Well, what do you want to do?" Pure Vanilla asked. Jay went quiet for a moment as he thought to himself. Since there was going to be a party in his honour, he should at least look nice for it. The only thing he had was his pajamas.
"Vanilla?" Jay spoke up.
"Yes, my Baker?" He replied.
"Is there anywhere I can get some nice clothes for the party? I-I, uh, don't want to wear just this." Jay said.
"You want to dress up? That's a splendid idea." Pure Vanilla smiled. "But we should hurry so we have enough time to get something made before the party." He said.
"Made? O-Oh, isn't there anything laying around I can just throw on?" Jay questioned.
"I did request for some outfits to be made for your arrival, but unfortunately, we had no way of knowing your measurements." Pure Vanilla Cookie explained.
"Oh," Jay said simply. Vanilla's comment struck him as odd, and Jay's mind drifted away in deep thought. Because of all the excitement, he hadn't had time to process his situation. He had gotten sucked into a video game world, but by the way Pure Vanilla and all the other Cookies talked, it seemed like they were aware of him outside the game before this. Did the Cookies gain sentience? 
That was the only thing that made any amount of sense. When did it happen? And how long had the Cookies planned on stealing him from his world?
Pure Vanilla Cookie noticed Jay's distant expression and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Baker, is something troubling you?" Pure Vanilla said in concern.
"Huh? Oh, no! S-Sorry, I was just thinking." Jay replied.
"If you are worried about your party attire, please know you needn't be. We'll pay a visit to Mont Blanc Cookie. She's the best seamstress in the kingdom. She would be happy to make something for you." Pure Vanilla assured him warmly. Jay nodded silently and hopped off his bed, following Pure Vanilla out of his room. Before leaving, Jay took another glance around the bedroom and sighed quietly. This room was going to be his home until he could find a way to return to the real world.

Walking around on the streets was a whole different experience. Jay somewhat knew the layout of his kingdom because he had built it in the game, but there were a lot of things he hadn't remembered building. Traversing the jellystone-tiled paths on the ground was new and strange to him. Everything looked so big from this angle. Luckily it wasn't enough for him to get lost because Pure Vanilla Cookie was glued to his side, more than happy to guide him around. As they passed by, many Cookies peered curiously at them. Some even seemed envious seeing Pure Vanilla Cookie hanging onto him. Jay nervously smiled and waved at them, and they beamed back at him.
Once they reached their destination, the Maison Marron Boutique, Pure Vanilla Cookie led Jay inside the elegant shop. Wide glass windows displaying various dresses and outfits on mannequins decorated the front of the shop. The shelves were lined with cloth, balls of yarn, and spools of fabric. Mont Blanc Cookie was busy measuring the beginnings of a dress on a tailor's dummy when she looked over and noticed the pair standing there. Her face lit up.
"Baker, well, isn't this a surprise!" Mont Blanc Cookie said cheerfully.
"Good day Mont Blanc, we're here for some special clothing for the Baker. He wants to wear something nice for the party." Pure Vanilla said.
"Oh, I would be more than happy to design a costume for you Baker!" Mont Blanc Cookie said excitedly.
"Great!" Jay replied. His face fell slightly. "This isn't going to cost me rainbow cubes is it?" He asked hesitantly. Mont Blanc laughed.
"No, no, not at all. I wouldn't do that to you, Baker!" She smiled. Jay sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness, those things are so hard to collect." He muttered.
"Come, come, let's discuss what you want." Mont Blanc Cookie beckoned. She motioned for them to follow her deeper into the store and led them past a fabric curtain to the backroom. There was a large mirror, an old desk with papers and fabric strewn about, along with racks of fancy costumes and clothing, as well as two changing rooms.
"Alright, first, we must determine the colors and styles for the garments..." Mont Blanc Cookie hummed to herself. "Do you have anything in mind?" She asked.
"I-I, well, I do have a specific design idea for a costume, if that's ok..." Jay answered.
"Oh, do tell!" Mont Blanc said. Jay paused. He moved his hands around a little awkwardly as he tried to find the words to describe what he wanted. Seeing Jay struggling, Mont Blanc Cookie reached over to her sewing desk and gingerly picked up a drawing pad and handed it to him.
"Oh, thank you. This will be easier." Jay sighed. "I hope I'll be able to draw it in a way that makes sense." He mumbled. Jay sat down on a chair and quickly sketched the costume design and a few notes on the side. Pure Vanilla Cookie leaned over and peered at the drawing over his shoulder.
"That looks wonderful. Baker, I had no idea you could draw so well." Pure Vanilla praised. Jay gave an embarrassed smile and blushed. 
"O-Oh... thank you. But I'm not really that good at drawing." He stuttered.
"Nonsense Baker, you clearly enjoy art." Mont Blanc Cookie interjected. Jay didn't argue further, instead focusing more on finishing the costume. After a minute, he held up the drawing pad and inspected his drawing thoroughly. Satisfied, Jay passed the sketchbook to Mont Blanc Cookie. The seamstress' face became thoughtful as she examined the design.
"It is refined and formal but... it's a little too simplistic." She mused. Jay blinked in confusion.
"Is that bad?" He said hesitantly.
"No, no! The design itself is a good basis but... I think we should add more to the style of the outfit. Something to add depth, a little bit more flair." Mont Blanc Cookie said confidently. She brandished the pencil and keenly began sketching. Jay gazed at her curiously as she drew. The pencil moved across the paper almost effortlessly. She drew lines, curves, and details here and there, adding texture to the design. Soon Mont Blanc had finished and carefully handed Jay the completed sketch. Jay only took a quick glance at it and was immediately impressed. Mont Blanc was a real professional.
"Wow, this is amazing. It's definitely a lot better than what I came up with." Jay chuckled lightly. "But- will I look good in it? I mean, it's so fancy. That's kind of why I made something simple 'cause I'm kinda plain myself, y'know?" He said. He didn't think he was attractive at all and was unsure if he could pull off something that fancy. Mont Blanc Cookie giggled to herself.
"Oh, Baker, you have nothing to worry about." She reassured. "You will certainly look handsome in whatever you choose." Mont Blanc said. Jay looked up at her, slightly taken aback by her sudden compliment. She smiled and gave a wink. Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped beside Jay and put one hand on his shoulder.
"She's right, Baker. I think you're perfect just the way you are. No matter what you wear, you'll always be utterly stunning to me, you know that?" Pure Vanilla said sweetly. Jay's face flushed a bright red, and his mouth hung open in shock. He tried to retort, but nothing came out except weak stammering as his words died in his throat. He quickly hid his face behind the sketch pad in embarrassment.
"Wh-What!? ME? N-No way!" Jay squeaked.
"Yes, yes, it's true." Pure Vanilla stated with a warm smile. Jay couldn't help but blush harder. Pure Vanilla and Mont Blanc Cookie laughed lightly at how cute Jay's shyness was. Once he collected himself, they got to work on taking Jay's measurements and making adjustments where needed. Mont Blanc Cookie held the fabric tape measure against his limbs and wrapped it around his waist. She scribbled down the details on a notepad.
"Um, can you make it a little loose, please? I don't like tight-fitting clothing. I'd like it to be comfortable and easy to move in." Jay spoke up.
"Of course, Baker." Mont Blanc smiled, and she continued working on perfecting the measurements. Meanwhile, Jay kept stealing glances at Pure Vanilla Cookie, who had yet to stop smiling brightly at him. After several minutes, Mont Blanc finished and pulled the fabric tape measure away.
"Alright, I have everything I need. Sit back and relax, Baker. I'll have your costume ready in no time." She said happily.
"Ok! Thank you so much." Jay said gratefully.
"You're welcome." Mont Blanc replied. Jay nodded and went to sit by Pure Vanilla Cookie on the sofa to watch Mont Blanc work her magic. He was going to suggest they take a walk and sightsee while the outfit was being made, but seeing the speed at which Mont Blanc was working Jay realized that it wouldn't take long at all. Mont Blanc Cookie moved gracefully and put passion into every stitch as she measured, cut, and sewed the attire together. It was almost mesmerizing watching her work. In the blink of an eye, a beautiful suit was made from nothing in less than 30 minutes. Once Mont Blanc completed the finishing touches, she stepped back and proudly displayed it for them both. Both Jay and Pure Vanilla Cookie stood and walked closer to admire the costume. Jay was in awe. He walked around the mannequin with the outfit to admire it from every angle, gently touching the fabric of the glittering cape veil. He was going to be wearing something this beautiful?
Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded in approval. He knew the Baker would look absolutely stunning in this outfit. He almost couldn't wait for the party to see him wear it.
"Fantastic work, Mont Blanc Cookie!" Pure Vanilla praised.
"What do you think, Baker? Do you like it?" Mont Blanc asked.
"I-It's... amazing. I don't think I've ever worn something this expensive looking in my life." Jay said quietly as he slowly turned the jacket sleeve over in his hands, admiring the intricate stitching and patterns embroidered along its shoulders, lapels, and collar. The suit was a light pastel blue and glittered faintly, as if stardust was woven into the fabric. It had golden angel wing epaulettes, and the flaps of the suit were long, flaring out like a tail of feathers.
"I'm glad you like it. Now all that remains is for you to try it on!" Mont Blanc Cookie said excitedly. Jay's eyes widened, and his head snapped up to stare at Mont Blanc.
"Wait- right now?" He said.
"Yes, yes!" Mont Blanc chirped. She pushed Jay in the direction of the changing rooms. "I need to see you in it just in case there are any last-minute adjustments I need to make." She added. Jay sighed nervously but allowed himself to be pushed forward into the dressing room. He closed the curtain, and Mont Blanc Cookie handed him his costume. Jay undressed and carefully put each piece of the suit on, worried that one wrong move would tear all Mont Blanc's hard work. As Jay stared at himself in the mirror in surprise, he turned around slowly. The suit fit his body perfectly. Jay never thought he would say this, but he looked good. A smile formed upon his lips, and he felt a tingle run through him, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. He couldn't believe that he was actually going to wear something like this to a fancy banquet. It felt incredible. Like he was finally getting the chance to shine. Despite there still being some doubt and anxiety lingering in the back of his mind, the feeling of happiness swelling within him made him feel confident enough.
"How is it, Baker?" Mont Blanc asked eagerly from outside.
"May we see?" Pure Vanilla Cookie called. Jay hesitated for just a moment before nodding and pulling the curtains aside. He stepped shyly out of the dressing room, nervously waiting for their reactions. They gasped, and their jaws practically dropped. Pure Vanilla and Mont Blanc quickly began clapping their hands. Pure Vanilla could feel his heartbeat quicken and his face flushed brightly at the sight before him. His Baker looked incredible. Absolutely adorable even. The suit hugged his soft frame, accentuating the curve of his hips and body perfectly. And it wasn't just because of the gorgeous suit that made Vanilla dizzy with love. Everything about his Baker was striking. He seemed to glow. Pure Vanilla couldn't keep his gaze away from Jay. It made him wonder briefly how all the other Cookies at the party would react if his own reaction was any indication.
"Baker... You're breathtaking." Pure Vanilla breathed. Jay blushed furiously and hid his face with his hands.
"Ahh, p-please! I can't take it!" He squeaked in embarrassment. Vanilla approached Jay and took his hands gently, pulling them from his red face. He wanted to hug and kiss his Baker so badly. 
Pure Vanilla looked down and saw that Jay's bow was uneven. He silently pulled it undone, beginning to tie it again. Jay watched anxiously, holding his breath while he did so. Pure Vanilla tied and secured Jay's bow neatly, giving him a soft, warm kiss on the forehead when he was finished. The kiss sent shivers running through Jay and caused his heart to pound wildly in his chest. Getting flustered, he buried his face against Pure Vanilla's shoulder. 
"A-Ah, V-Vanilla stop!" Jay whined shyly. The taller Cookie chuckled softly and wrapped his arm around Jay, bringing him into a hug. Jay relaxed instantly into the embrace and melted into Pure Vanilla's arms, basking in his gentle touch.
"So beautiful..." Pure Vanilla mumbled lovingly. Jay closed his eyes, allowing the love he felt to wash over him like a wave. He felt completely at peace like nothing could possibly harm him anymore. Feeling safe and secure, he didn't want to let go. All he wanted to do was stay like this forever.
"Ah, I knew you would look amazing, Baker!" Mont Blanc Cookie spoke up. Jay pulled away from Pure Vanilla a little.
"Thank you so much for the costume, Mont Blanc Cookie. I really appreciate it." He beamed.
"Oh, darling, it's no trouble at all!" Mont Blanc replied happily. The seamstress approached, and Pure Vanilla's smile fell slightly as he recognized that she was seeking affection from the Baker. His grip on Jay tightened slightly, and he pulled him closer. Pure Vanilla smiled gently as the other Cookie halted when he made no attempt to let Jay go.
"Thank you for all your hard work, Mont Blanc Cookie. We must be heading back to the castle now. I hope to see you at the party." He said sweetly. Mont Blanc Cookie faltered slightly at the sudden dismissal but returned the smile.
"I will see you there. Thank you for letting me do this for you, Baker!" She replied.
 
Mont Blanc gave Jay a cloak to conceal and protect his outfit, and the two waved goodbye as they left the shop. Jay smiled widely as he looked at Pure Vanilla. He felt amazing. His head was almost loopy with happiness. Maybe staying here for a little while wouldn't be so bad after all. Jay and Pure Vanilla Cookie headed back towards the castle hand in hand.
In the short time they had been away, the castle had been transformed by decorations. The sun was setting behind mountains in the far distance, causing a pink hue to spread across the sky. The scents that wafted through the corridors as Pure Vanilla led Jay to the garden made him want to drool. When his stomach let out a quiet groan Jay realized how hungry he was. He had been swept up in all the excitement he hadn't eaten all day.
"Are you hungry, Baker?" Pure Vanilla teased. Jay laughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck.
"Man, you heard that?" He said, "Yeah, I'm pretty hungry." He admitted sheepishly.
"Not to worry. You'll eat plenty tonight. They have been preparing everything you could possibly want!" Vanilla replied confidently. Though the thought of being able to eat soon was tempting, Jay was reminded he was in a world where almost everything was made of sweets, desserts, and confections. The food was going to look similar but it would be very different from what he was used to. But it was a good thing he had a big sweet tooth.
The big vanilla wafer doors leading to the garden opened, revealing a lively party on the other side. Everything was beautifully decorated in royal blue, white, and cream. The string of lanterns glowed amidst the darkening sky, swaying delicately on the breeze, giving off a comforting warm and soft glow. The serene sound of a violin filled the air from a stage, provided by Mint Choco Cookie. All the Cookies of the kingdom were present and mingling, but once Jay stepped into the garden with Pure Vanilla, all eyes were drawn to him. Jay began to get shy with all the attention he suddenly got. He tried not to fidget underneath the weight of so many eyes.
"Welcome, Baker! Welcome!" Everyone cheered happily. Pure Vanilla Cookie gently tugged at Jay's cloak, silently signalling that he should reveal his party attire. Jay blushed a little and let Vanilla slip it off for him. As soon as he did, everyone gasped excitedly, and Jay blushed brightly under the onslaught of comments and compliments.
"Oh my goodness! You look so wonderful, Baker!" A Cookie cried.
"You look simply stunning." Another whispered. The Cookies crowded around, slower this time so as not to overwhelm him, to compliment him and offer their greetings. Jay glanced nervously at Vanilla, who smiled encouragingly. He then looked around at the crowd. Everyone was staring at him with loving looks in their eyes. Jay felt warmth bloom in his chest, and he could feel the butterflies fluttering rapidly in his stomach. He couldn't help but grin, feeling absolutely giddy and euphoric.
"Thank you," he whispered quietly, embarrassed by his reaction. Jay cleared his throat and spoke louder. "T-Thank you so much, everyone! I-I really appreciate the banquet and all your hard work. Thank you for attending!" He announced. Jay had tried to sound confident, but he still ended up stuttering, he felt a little embarrassed, but none of the Cookies seemed to mind or care. Instead, they all clapped politely. Then through the crowd, a handsome Cookie came to the front. With poise and a self-assured stride, Clotted Cream Cookie walked up to him, smiling as warmly as always, his hands firmly clasped together. Right by his side was Financier Cookie.
"Good evening, Baker." He greeted politely, bowing his head respectfully. "I must say it is a joy to finally meet you in person." Clotted Cream said. Before Jay could reply, Clotted Cream Cookie took his hand and softly placed a kiss on it. Jay's body stiffened up, and he blushed bright red, unsure of what to say in response.
"O-Oh. Clotted Cream, y-yes, it's nice to meet you too." He stammered.
"And as you know, this is Financier Cookie." Clotted Cream introduced.
"It's a pleasure, my Baker." She said politely, bowing her head.
"I apologize that you weren't able to 'bring me home' when you played the game. But I see this as a more favourable outcome." Clotted Cream went on.
"Uh, how?" Jay asked.
"We're able to get to know each other on a more personal level without a screen in the way. I can't wait to spend more time with you. That is," Clotted Cream's eyes trailed to Pure Vanilla. "when Pure Vanilla Cookie's turn with you is over." He said.
"My turn with the Baker hasn't started yet!" Vanilla protested. "I am simply making sure that he is comfortable and adjusting well to his new life." He explained somewhat defensively. Clotted Cream's calm smile didn't falter for even a moment.
"Of course. Of course." He replied.
"Whoa, wait a second. Turn? What do you mean by that?" Jay questioned nervously. Clotted Cream looked surprised at the question.
"Oh? Pure Vanilla Cookie hasn't explained yet?" He said. Jay looked to Pure Vanilla in confusion, hoping he would explain himself. The other Cookie seemed a little flustered.
"No. I haven't really had time to ask any questions." Jay mumbled.
"That's a shame, Baker. I shall explain then," Clotted Cream replied. "As you know, we Cookies all care for you very much. But there is only so much time you can spend with each of us, so to prevent any fights over your precious time, we have all agreed to share you. Times and schedules have been prepared so each Cookie can spend one-on-one time with you each day." He explained. Jay stared wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.
"W-W-What? I... I don't know about this. Don't I get a say in this?" He stammered nervously.
"Do you have a more effective idea of how you would spend time with all of us?" Clotted Cream asked curiously. Although Clotted Cream Cookie was being pleasant and calm, his gaze still filled Jay with uncertainty. He played with the cuffs of his suit as his gaze drifted around nervously, trying to think up something to say, but his brain was drawing a blank. It was all so much so soon. He was never the best with being social, even most small social situations drained him completely for a whole day, and now he was expected to spend days back to back entertaining a bunch of Cookies he didn't know. Well, he knew them but didn't really know them. It wasn't only a few hours ago that he thought they were totally non-sentient video game characters. What was worse is that he felt if he said no, he would be letting down a lot of Cookies who had been looking forward to spending time with him. 
He was trapped in this situation that had been decided for him before he could even object. There was no use arguing against it.
"N-No... sorry. I-It's just so much to take in at once. I mean, I just got here. And I had no idea about any of this." Jay mumbled. Seeing his chance, Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped in.
"It is as I had explained before. I have told the other Ancient Cookies that the Baker would probably be rather overwhelmed after arriving and took the liberty of making sure he is settled in before we move forward with the schedule." He explained with a smile. A few Cookies from the crowd around them let out small noises of disappointment. "Clotted Cream Cookie, I apologize that I didn't inform you of this decision sooner," Vanilla said.
"That's alright." Clotted Cream assured. But despite his words, it didn't seem like he was going to back down. "I understand. But next time, I think it would be fairer to everyone if we all discussed such a decision together." He suggested pointedly. Jay's eyes darted nervously between Pure Vanilla and Clotted Cream Cookie. Was it just him, or was the atmosphere getting a little... tense? 
Clotted Cream and Jay's eyes locked for a moment, and Jay gulped uncomfortably. He quickly looked away. Clotted Cream continued speaking calmly and kindly. "We can discuss this later. Perhaps it would be a great idea to start off the meal." He commented. Jay felt relieved that they were finally going to eat. At least now, the tension in the air would ease up.
"Oh boy, I'm starving!" Gingerbrave piped up. The rest of the Cookies echoed this sentiment, and they all turned toward the long party table to find somewhere to sit and enjoy the feast. 
At the same time, Pure Vanilla and Clotted Cream took both of Jay's hands and guided him to the table. Sitting him down in the biggest chair at the very end of the table.
The seating arrangement seemed to be determined by rank. The Ancient Cookies sat closest to him, followed by the Super Epic Cookies, Epic, Rare, and Common ranked Cookies sat further down the table. The only exceptions were the Ancient Cookie's guards. Wildberry, Financier, and Crunchy Chip Cookie sat dutifully beside their charges. As Jay looked around the table at everyone in their seats, he realized that there were a handful of Cookies that were not present. Besides the Legendary Cookies, Jay noticed that Licorice, Poison Mushroom, Red Velvet, Schwarzwälder, Dark Choco, Affogato, and Pomegranate Cookie were all missing from the banquet.
Jay leaned over to Pure Vanilla Cookie and softly tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention as he was conversing with Dark Cacao Cookie.
"Yes, my Baker?" Vanilla said with a smile.
"I don't think everyone is here. Should we wait for them?" Jay asked. Pure Vanilla blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean, Baker? Everyone is already here and accounted for." He replied cheerfully.
"But... Red Velvet Cookie, Licorice Cookie, and a bunch of other Cookies aren't here. Are they late?" Jay said. Pure Vanilla's smile faded, and he looked a little sad for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Baker. But they belonged to the Cookies of Darkness. To keep you safe, we had to banish them from the kingdom." He frowned. Jay stared at Pure Vanilla in disbelief.
"You... You banished them from the kingdom!? B-But why?" He exclaimed.
"Baker, I understand your feelings. But they are on the side of darkness and are allied with Dark Enchantress Cookie. We can't allow them to harm you." Pure Vanilla answered calmly.
"B-But... does that stuff really matter anymore? It's all a game. I thought that since you all became sentient, you would have worked it out because you're all Cookies at the end of it all." Jay said with a frown. Pure Vanilla gave him an understanding look.
"If only that could be true, my dear." He sighed.
"Baker, if I may," Clotted Cream spoke up. Jay turned, and he seemed happy to grab his attention. "I mean this with the utmost respect. Though our world may have been just a game to you, it is very much real to us." He said. Jay's eyes widened slightly at that, and he paused.
"I'm sorry... I-I didn't think of it like that." He apologized. That was right. This wasn't a game anymore. Everything in this world was as real as he was, so dismissing the events of its history as part of a game or narrative with a fixed outcome was insensitive. Especially to the Ancient Cookies sitting in front of him, who had sacrificed almost everything at the beginning of the Dark Flour War.
Clotted Cream smiled lightly.
"There is no need to apologize, Baker." Clotted Cream reassured.
"We had tried to negotiate with our newfound higher awareness, but it did little to sway their ideals. Not even the Consul was able to change their minds." Financier Cookie added.
"I see," Jay said quietly. He was disappointed. He had been really looking forward to meeting Red Velvet Cookie.
The castle chefs brought the food out on the large platters. All the dishes and food were neatly laid out. Each dish held a different kind of delicious food that all looked and smelled absolutely heavenly. Plates of fresh vegetables grown by Carrot Cookie, meats and cheeses, some kinds of sweets and fruits, and a variety of sweet drinks, ranging from coffee to juice, and even milkshakes and smoothies. Every single food had a unique aroma and color. It smelled incredible. The atmosphere was so relaxed that Jay almost forgot why he was nervous in the first place. 
Eagerly piling his plate high with food, Jay quickly began eating. He let out a happy sigh as he chewed the medley of sauteed vegetables slowly, savouring the buttery flavour. Clotted Cream Cookie chuckled lightly before beginning to eat too. Pure Vanilla Cookie watched Jay closely for a while and smiled fondly before turning away and joining the conversation among the other Cookies.
The food was very good. The castle chefs had done an amazing job. Jay had been worried about how the food would taste to him because he wasn't from this world, but everything tasted great. In fact, despite almost everything being made from candy, it didn't taste that way. His eyes knew it was candy, but to his mouth, the food tasted as it did in his world. It was a bizarre experience, but Jay supposed it was because he was a Cookie now.
As he ate, Jay couldn't help but notice the way that Clotted Cream Cookie kept glancing at him and watching him with obvious interest. Every time their eyes met, Jay expected Clotted Cream to attempt to strike up a conversation but he didn't, only giving him a playful smile. Jay found himself growing more embarrassed every time their eyes met, so he kept his eyes on his plate. Light chatter and laughter filled the night air, and Jay was silent throughout the majority of the dinner. 
After a short while, Hollyberry Cookie stood from her seat, raising a wine glass of deep red berry juice, and tapped it lightly with a fork to gain everyone's attention.
"As most of you may know, today's gathering is in honour of our beloved Baker, who, after so long, has crossed from his world to ours, will be living within the walls of the castle," Hollyberry announced with a wide smile on her face. Her eyes shifted to look briefly at Jay before returning her gaze to everyone in attendance. "To welcome our esteemed Baker, I, Hollyberry Cookie, would like to give a toast to his honour!" She declared. Everyone else immediately cheered their agreement. Pure Vanilla stood up next, mirroring Hollyberry's action.
"A toast! To our Baker!" He said. Jay blushed and tentatively raised his own glass with everyone else.
"Thanks, everybody." He said bashfully. Then, Hollyberry Cookie clinked her glass against his before gulping down the berry juice in one swig. 
"To the Baker!" The other Cookies repeated excitedly. After everyone else finished clinking glasses with each other and drinking, they returned to their meals and chatted. Jay had been sipping on a fruity drink since the beginning of dinner, so he was surprised when Hollyberry Cookie placed an empty wine glass in front of him and filled it with dark red berry juice. She grinned at him.
"Come, Baker, have a glass!" Hollyberry insisted. "This is a special occasion, after all." She said cheerfully. Jay glanced around nervously before smiling gently and politely accepting the offered beverage. He stared at the drink for a moment in uncertainty. Wasn't berry juice this world's equivalent of alcohol? Well, it wasn't like he hadn't had alcohol before. One glass wouldn't hurt.
Jay took a small sip from the glass and hummed happily at the surprisingly pleasant taste. Oh, maybe it wasn't alcohol at all. The juice was smooth, with the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. He decided to take another sip before downing the entire glass. Jay sighed contently when he finished.
"That was good!" He said. Hollyberry beamed and picked up the bottle, filling Jay's glass again.
"Good to hear. Well then, have another!" She replied. Wildberry Cookie, who up until this point, had been silently observing, spoke up.
"Hollyberry Cookie, perhaps you shouldn't give the Baker too much." He advised.
"Oh, don't worry, Wildberry Cookie!" Hollyberry responded brightly. "Or are you afraid the Baker will break my record?" She laughed. Wildberry shook his head.
"No. What I meant was... we shouldn't push it." He said quietly.
"Oh, please, Wildberry! There's nothing wrong with getting a few extra glasses of the best berry juice from the Hollyberry Kingdom!" Hollyberry Cookie replied. Wildberry rolled his eyes slightly but still nodded. Though he kept his eyes on Jay for the remainder of the dinner.
Soon enough, dinner ended, and the castle servants helped clear the table of empty plates and leftover food, taking it back into the kitchens. The festivities moved from the dining table to the rest of the garden as the Cookies mingled and Parfait Cookie kicked off a live performance on the stage, singing one of her most popular songs. Everyone joined in, laughing, singing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. But what everyone was truly excited about was Jay himself. Pure Vanilla Cookie and Clotted Cream Cookie ushered him around the party to greet and talk with each Cookie individually.
The younger Cookies jumped into his arms with delight and tried to drag him into playing games with them but Pure Vanilla gently reminded them that Jay would be able to play later when he gets settled in and it was their turn to spend the day with him. Pancake Cookie pouted but he, along with Custard Cookie, agreed. Jay gave out a lot of hugs at the request of the Cookies. He noticed that a lot of the Cookies were a little touchy-feely with him but he didn't mind, it was delightful to meet each and every Cookie personally. The cute characters that he had loved and cooed over from a game were real and he got to hug them! 
At first, he was a little anxious about talking to everyone but quickly grew used to being surrounded by so many familiar faces and the amount of energy that the Cookies possessed. For once, since he left his world, he was actually having fun, he felt genuinely carefree. No worries or responsibilities plagued him. There was simply no need for them when he had such delightful friends like these. It also helped his nerves that whenever his glass was empty Hollyberry, and soon Sparkling Cookie, pushed more juice into his hands.
"I've prepared this special drink just for you, Baker. I know you’ll find it utterly delightful!" Sparkling Cookie said.
"Oh wow! Thank you so much!" Jay replied warmly. He took the champagne glass gingerly, carefully examining the gold-fizzy contents. Jay was kind of excited. The drinks that Sparkling Cookie made in the game always looked so good. And he couldn't help but notice that Sparkling Cookie's eyes followed his every move, he seemed almost nervous.
"I hope you like it. I didn't know your taste preferences so I tried something new." Sparkling added sheepishly.
"Oh, you're the best at making drinks Sparkling Cookie. I know I'm gonna love it." Jay said. Sparkling Cookie blushed.
Jay took a sip of the bubbly liquid and was not disappointed by its quality. It was sweet, creamy, light, fruity, and full of bubbles. He loved it! Jay downed the glass of sparkling juice in one go, savouring the taste while it lasted. It left him wanting more.
"Ahh, this is amazing! You absolutely nailed it, Sparkling." Jay praised.
"You're going to love all the different combinations that I can come up with!" Sparkling Cookie exclaimed.
"Oh, well I bet I'm going have a hard time picking a favourite now, huh?" Jay said. "Isn't that right, pretty boy?" He grinned teasingly. Sparkling Cookie turned bright pink and he stammered for a couple of seconds before regaining his composure.
"A-Ahem, how about another glass?" He prompted. Pure Vanilla quickly cleared his throat and got between Jay and Sparkling Cookie.
"Baker, perhaps you should slow down on the drinks." He advised gently. Jay waved his hand.
"Aw, 'Nilla, everything's fine! It's just juice." He chuckled. Jay wasn't sure if it was the atmosphere of the party that was making him so carefree or his own happiness. He felt a little loopy. His entire body was warm and fuzzy, which only made him want to drink more of the delicious juice that was being poured into his glass over and over again. Jay swayed slightly from side to side, feeling his cheeks heating up as he did, and his mind became foggy. This was nice. Really, really nice.
"Are you sure?" Pure Vanilla asked hesitantly. Jay nodded enthusiastically.
"Absolutely positive!" He declared with a playful thumbs up.
"He's beginning to sound like Hollyberry Cookie." Dark Cacao Cookie commented as he approached with Crunchy Chip Cookie by his side.
"Whoa-ho, Baker, you're definitely drunk." Crunchy Chip Cookie said. Jay giggled.
"Pfft. Me? No... No way. This is jus' juice." He insisted while unconvincingly trying to hide the slurring of his words. Crunchy Chip, Dark Cacao, and Pure Vanilla all shared a look of doubt.
"It seems our dear Baker has had a little too much to drink." Clotted Cream said in amusement. Hollyberry Cookie laughed heartily when she and Wildberry Cookie joined the group.
"I guess the Baker is quite the lightweight." She remarked with a grin. Pure Vanilla leaned over to Hollyberry with a frown on his face.
"Hollyberry Cookie, I thought I said not to give him too much." He muttered. Hollyberry chuckled sheepishly and shrugged.
"I didn't think I gave him that much at all. For a Hollyberrian, it wouldn't have been too much to handle at all!" She said innocently. The others looked at her skeptically. Pure Vanilla Cookie sighed quietly.
"I did warn you not to push it, Hollyberry Cookie." Wildberry Cookie spoke up. The two exchanged a glance and Hollyberry Cookie turned her attention to Jay. Her expression changed slightly to concern when she saw his flushed cheeks and slightly unfocused eyes.
"Ah... I guess I did overdo it, didn't I? I'm sorry Baker." Hollyberry apologized. Jay stumbled forward and crashed against Hollyberry's chest before anyone could catch him. He hugged the taller Cookie.
"Nooooo... Holly don't be sad!" Jay slurred. "Don't wanna make Holly sad..." He mumbled.
"I am not sad, Baker. I promise I'm not." Hollyberry replied softly and patted his head gently. Jay let go of her, looking embarrassed. He smiled.
"I'm fine! No one should be sad tonight. Let's not worry, it's a celebration so let's all have fun!" Jay cheered. Hollyberry Cookie's usual energy returned and she smiled widely.
"Now that's what I like to hear!" She exclaimed heartily. Hollyberry placed an arm around Jay and began leading him away, toward where everyone else was dancing.
"A-And maybe we shouldn't let the Baker drink any more juice." Pure Vanilla Cookie added hastily, as he and Clotted Cream Cookie followed. Hollyberry Cookie nodded in agreement and she swept Jay into an elegant ballroom dance among the other Cookies. Jay did his best to keep up but he clumsily stumbled as he tried to match Hollyberry's steps. But still, it was fun even if he was bad at it. He smiled goofily and enjoyed himself, completely unaware of the fact that almost everyone's eyes were following his movements.
"Oh, I want to dance with the Baker too!" Mango Cookie said.
"Me too, me too!" Cherry Blossom Cookie piped up happily.
"OOoo0oooOO0O o0oO0O~!" Sorbet Shark Cookie bubbled. Though only a few Cookies could understand Sorbet Shark, the sentiment carried and they all wanted a dance with the Baker. Hollyberry Cookie stopped her dance with Jay and smiled, moving away and allowing the other Cookies to cut in instead. 
Jay was led into a series of short dances as he went through all the waiting Cookies, as soon as one dance ended, he would be pulled into the arms of the next Cookie in line. He laughed brightly every time he was lifted and spun around, his laughter filled the air throughout the garden. Jay was enjoying having so much fun and he honestly never felt happier than he did then. The Cookies were all smiling and laughing, some of them even singing along to the music. They were having a great time, and Jay was happy to see that they were having fun. This party had originally been for him but he was glad that he had managed to bring everyone together. He was glad that he had managed to make them all smile.
As the dance wore on, Jay's legs and feet began hurting, and with all the excitement and juice in his system, he was getting sleepy. However, he knew he couldn't leave yet because more Cookies were waiting for a dance. That was when he found himself in Clotted Cream's embrace.
"Ah, it seems it's finally my turn." Clotted Cream Cookie said. "May I have this dance, Baker?" He requested politely. Jay's eyelids were starting to feel heavy. It was hard to focus and even harder to keep himself on his feet, but Jay willed himself to keep going. He blinked and shook his head slightly to make his vision refocus. Jay held back a yawn and nodded happily.
"Of course~" He cooed. Clotted Cream smiled gently at Jay and took his hand in his, placing the other on Jay's waist, guiding them smoothly across the floor in a slow ballroom dance. Jay let out a content sigh as he gazed into Clotted Cream's calm chartreuse eyes. His exhaustion was catching up with him, and his eyes started slowly closing. He rested his head on Clotted Cream's chest and wrapped his arms around the taller Cookie. A slight blush crept onto Clotted Cream's face, but he remained calm as he enveloped Jay in his arms gently in return and kissed the top of his head.
"My Baker." Clotted Cream Cookie whispered. They continued to sway slowly, if anything, only to keep the illusion that they were dancing. Unbeknownst to them, Pure Vanilla Cookie was watching them closely from the sidelines of the dance floor.
Clotted Cream felt Jay snuggle into his chest and he was secretly pleased. After a few moments of silence, Clotted Cream broke the quiet. "My Baker," He began. "I have something to ask you." Clotted Cream said.
"Mmm?" Jay hummed sleepily in response.
"After the party, I have to return to the Crème Republic, and I want you to come with me. Would you like that?" Clotted Cream asked softly. Jay opened his eyes and stared up at Clotted Cream curiously through drowsy lids.
"S'more? Outside the kingdom?" Jay slurred. Clotted Cream chuckled to himself. He ran his hand through Jay's short hair and kissed his forehead affectionately. Trying to coax the answer he wanted out of him.
"Yes, there is more outside your kingdom, Baker. Much more. The Crème Republic is prosperous and beautiful. You'll love it there, I promise." Clotted Cream said confidently, his voice getting softer towards the end. Jay shook his head and frowned slightly as if confused. He wobbled slightly.
"But... I should stay here wif... Vanilla." Jay mumbled. Clotted Cream Cookie's expression changed slightly, and his brows furrowed. There was no hesitation in Clotted Cream's gaze anymore. It was unbecoming of him to act this way, but the pulling allure of his Baker was simply too much to deny any longer.  
"No. No, you don't have to. I'll take care of you, Baker. Just imagine if our kingdoms were united through marriage, the good we could do for all Cookies. Our kingdoms will grow stronger, and all Cookies will prosper with you by my side." Clotted Cream whispered softly, now sounding desperate. He leaned down closer to Jay. Jay tilted his head up slightly, causing their lips to brush briefly. "Please... be mine, Baker." He added, making a move to press his lips on Jay's.
His mind was still swimming between sleep and waking. Jay couldn't process what was happening. However, before Clotted Cream Cookie could reach his goal, a deep voice cleared their throat, interrupting them. 
Wildberry and Financier Cookie stood a couple steps away. Clotted Cream Cookie reluctantly pulled away from Jay and straightened up politely.
"Wildberry, Financier, may I help you?" He questioned a little impatiently.
"Hollyberry Cookie wishes to speak with you." Wildberry Cookie said bluntly. Clotted Cream narrowed his eyes slightly in suspicion, he glanced at Jay, who seemed unfazed by the interruption and oblivious to his displeasure.
"I see, well... thank you for informing me." Clotted Cream answered calmly. "But I'm quite busy right now. The Baker and I were discussing something very important to his kingdom and The Crème Republic. Please allow me to deal with the Ancient Cookies later." He explained. Jay nodded absently in reply, not noticing the tension between the three Cookies.
"I must insist. Hollyberry Cookie has asked that she speak with you right now." Wildberry said stubbornly.
"Consul, since we are departing for The Crème Republic in the morning, the Ancient Cookies wish to discuss the rules for sharing the Baker before we leave. As you had requested." Financier Cookie spoke up.
"Of course." Clotted Cream agreed, not wanting to argue in front of the Baker. He put on his gentle, practiced smile and bowed his head respectfully to Wildberry and Financier Cookie. "Very well, I shall join the Ancient Cookies to discuss the terms of the agreement." He said.
"Then it appears it is settled." Wildberry Cookie concluded.
"I will be with you in a moment." Clotted Cream said. The slender light blonde-haired Cookie turned back to Jay with a smile. "Baker, please think about my offer. I will be awaiting your answer." He told him tenderly, taking Jay's hands in his.
"Mhmm..." Jay replied quietly.
"Clotted Cream Cookie." Pure Vanilla interrupted. Clotted Cream Cookie looked over his shoulder, burying his irritation deep down and replacing it with a smile. Pure Vanilla Cookie walked up to the pair, his tone was polite but stern. "The Baker has had a lot to drink this evening. I'll take him back to his room so that he can rest. I'll be with you and the other Cookies in a moment." He said.
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Pure Vanilla Cookie." Clotted Cream answered in a tone just as polite but still curt. But before Pure Vanilla could get closer to Jay to collect him, Clotted Cream leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to Jay's cheek, lingering for a bit longer than necessary. A small grin spread on his face. 
"Wha~ did you jus'... kish me?" Jay mumbled in confusion.
"I wish you sweet dreams, my Baker." Clotted Cream said sweetly. He backed off and waited as Pure Vanilla Cookie rushed forward and scooped up Jay tightly in his arms.
"Come along, Baker. Let's get you to bed." Vanilla said gently. Before he left, Pure Vanilla gave Clotted Cream Cookie a disapproving glance. Clotted Cream returned the look with his own annoyed glare. Pure Vanilla didn't say another word as he quickly turned away and disappeared into the castle with Jay, leaving behind a very heated Clotted Cream Cookie.

Pure Vanilla Cookie carried Jay carefully through the castle corridors to his room. But he soon began to squirm in his arms.
"I wanna w-walk by myself!" Jay complained drunkenly as he tried unsuccessfully to escape Pure Vanilla's grasp. "I... I can- I'm fine! I can go back to the party!" He huffed. Though it seemed Jay was fighting off sleep with everything he had.
"I know, Baker. But you're drunk. It wouldn't be safe for you to go back to the party in such a state. Please trust me, Baker, and let me take care of you." Vanilla replied softly but firmly, continuing to hold onto Jay securely. To Pure Vanilla's surprise, Jay suddenly stopped struggling against him. A small frown crossed his lips, and he relaxed a little in his arms.
"I'm not drunk...." Jay pouted and buried his face further into Vanilla's shoulder, feeling embarrassed by his inability to walk alone. Pure Vanilla chuckled lightly.
"Let's just get you back to your room." Vanilla said warmly, his heart melting at Jay's drunken cuteness.
Once they reached the royal bed chamber, he placed Jay on the bed gently and pulled back the blankets so that he could lie down and get comfortable. Jay yawned and began taking off his costume without another thought. Vanilla stood there silently observing and held back a laugh at Jay's slow and sluggish movements, he was having trouble undressing. Putting down his staff momentarily, Pure Vanilla took charge. With careful tenderness, he removed Jay's suit jacket and the rest of his clothing, stopping at his undergarments and slipping his shoes off. Vanilla folded the clothing neatly and placed them off to the side on the desk vanity. When he turned around again, Jay was already curled up on the mattress, sound asleep. Vanilla smiled fondly as he quietly approached, stroking Jay's dark hair lightly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched Jay for a while, admiring how peaceful he looked. His soft tan dough glowed faintly under the moonlight streaming in from the window. He was so beautiful. 
Vanilla pulled the blanket over Jay and tucked him in comfortably.
"Good night, my Baker." He whispered quietly, kissing his forehead one last time. Pure Vanilla closed the thin curtains and gingerly picked up his staff before leaving. He closed the door quietly behind him and stood in the hallway for a moment. 
Now that the Baker was resting, it was time to deal with Clotted Cream Cookie.

All the Cookies gathered in the castle's throne room for the consultation. Since it had been decided that the kingdom was a place of freedom for all Cookies and didn't need a ruler, the old throne room was converted into a council room. Where the throne used to sit, a long table was installed. The Ancients, as well as the Legendary Cookies, usually took these seats while the rest of the Cookies occupied the neat rows of tables and chairs. Once Pure Vanilla Cookie arrived and took his place at the front of the room, the debate began.
Clotted Cream Cookie had some misgivings about the Ancient Cookies "changing" the rules concerning the Baker's schedule without consulting the rest of the Cookies. He deemed this unfair to the other Cookies who now had to wait even longer to spend time with the Baker while he was settling in. All the while, Pure Vanilla Cookie and the other Ancients were able to spend the most time with him. A lot of Cookies agreed with Clotted Cream wholeheartedly, and expressed their disappointment and frustration with the sudden change. The Ancient Cookies weren't the only ones looking forward to finally spending personal time with their beloved Baker after he arrived in their world.
Pure Vanilla was quiet as he heard the other Cookies out. When Clotted Cream finished, Vanilla stood and addressed the room.
"My friends, I am very sorry to have upset you. It was never my intention to cause you all this frustration. I know all too well how you are feeling. You want to be with the Baker. We all do." He began. "But we must remember that this is very new to the Baker as well! He has only come to our world today. I was only thinking of his well-being when I made this hasty decision. You all witnessed his reaction at the castle gates this morning." Vanilla said. There was a collective murmur of understanding among the assembled Cookies. They had expected their Baker to be happy when he arrived at the castle, yet he had been completely frightened and nervous when they all excitedly greeted him. Clotted Cream began to frown when he realized that he was losing the support of the other Cookies.
"The Baker's safety and well-being should be our top priority. I know the pain you feel, having to wait so long to bring him to us only to wait more is difficult. But we must not be selfish. The Baker is with us now, and we have all the time we desire to spend together. We must respect him and not act rashly." Dark Cacao Cookie spoke up, his deep voice was firm and determined. The other Ancient Cookies nodded in agreement.
"We will allow the Baker a few days to adjust to his new life before beginning with the schedule. The schedule itself will remain the same. Order will be determined by rank, with the common Cookies going first." Pure Vanilla announced. Approval rippled through the gathered Cookies, and everyone seemed happy with the decision. Everyone except Clotted Cream.
"Since we are here, there are a few other things I wish to discuss." Clotted Cream said with a sly smirk. He wasn't going to let Pure Vanilla Cookie win that easily. He was the Consul of the Crème Republic. He would convince the other Cookies that the Baker would be much happier with him.
The discussion continued for far longer than anyone had anticipated. Though some Cookies from the Republic chimed in occasionally, the debate was solely between Clotted Cream and Pure Vanilla Cookie. Neither of them was willing to back down.
"I believe it would be much safer for the Baker to reside in the Crème Republic. His kingdom is still underdeveloped and lacks the power to defend itself. There are no walls, castle guards, or a formal military." Clotted Cream said in concern.
"You may think so, Clotted Cream Cookie, but I don't agree." Pure Vanilla Cookie countered calmly.
"The Cookies of this kingdom are strong enough to protect the Baker! As long as we work together, he and the kingdom will be safe!" Gingerbrave piped up. All the Cookies that had made the Baker's kingdom their home agreed confidently.
"I do not doubt the strength of the Cookies of this kingdom. But what if Dark Enchantress and the Cookies of Darkness were to attack? Their forces would overwhelm the kingdom, and the Baker would be defenceless!" Clotted Cream argued. The tide of the debate began to shift to Clotted Cream's side, the idea terrified the Cookies, and they began whispering amongst themselves nervously. "That's why the Baker must be moved permanently to the Crème Republic to ensure his safety. With the Republic's strength and our magichanical technology, we can defeat any threat that might arise to harm our Baker. And I will personally see to it that the Baker will be happy and well cared for." Clotted Cream Cookie reasoned as he glanced towards Pure Vanilla Cookie.
Pure Vanilla narrowed his eyes at Clotted Cream, trying hard to ignore the growing tension within him. Even though everyone else agreed with Clotted Cream's arguments. Pure Vanilla knew that if he wanted to win the Cookies over, all he had to do was appeal to their hearts.
Vanilla cleared his throat and stood up to address the room. All eyes fell upon him attentively. He straightened his posture proudly and put on a confident smile.
"My friends, Clotted Cream Cookie brings up some valid points. But, I do not think it's right for him to take the Baker away from his kingdom. The very kingdom he built from the ground up for us. This kingdom is more than a kingdom, it is the Baker's home! We are his true family! How can we send him away, and how hard would it be for us to spend time with him when he is so far away in the Crème Republic? The Baker should remain here where he belongs!" Pure Vanilla stated passionately. The rest of the Cookies immediately agreed with Vanilla and began cheering him on, smiling and clapping in approval.
Clotted Cream stared at Vanilla and frowned in annoyance. He had hoped the other Cookies would agree with him, but apparently not, and now everyone wanted the Baker to stay. He didn't care what Pure Vanilla had to say. Clotted Cream loved the Baker. He would do whatever it took to bring him to the Crème Republic. He couldn't stand the idea of leaving the Baker's side.
Hollyberry Cookie then stood up from her seat.
"Clotted Cream Cookie, your worry for the Baker's safety is understandable. But you are forgetting one thing," She said matter-of-factly. "and if Dark Enchantress Cookie does plan to threaten the Baker's kingdom, the Hollyberry Kingdom will fight by his side!" Hollyberry announced. Everyone cheered loudly at her proclamation. Dark Cacao Cookie was next to stand.
"The Dark Cacao Kingdom also pledges its allegiance and protection of the Baker! We shall defend the Baker and his kingdom against every enemy until every last one of us is nothing but crumbs!" Dark Cacao Cookie declared. The entire assembly roared in agreement. Clotted Cream remained silent.
Pure Vanilla called for silence, and the enthusiastic cheers died down so he could speak.
"Now, let us put it to a vote. For those who want the Baker to move to the Crème Republic, raise your hand." He said. Only a few hands went up from the Cookies that lived in the Republic, and Clotted Cream himself. Pure Vanilla smiled in satisfaction.
"Who wishes for the Baker to stay here in his kingdom, raise your hand." He called out again. Almost every hand shot up in the air. All three Ancient Cookies raised their hands as well. Pure Vanilla smiled to himself, pleased at the unanimous agreement.
"Then it has been decided. The Baker will remain here in his kingdom!" He announced. The gathered Cookies cheered happily, but Clotted Cream's face remained dark with an unmistakable glare toward Pure Vanilla Cookie. He hated to lose, especially like this. But he wouldn't give up.
"Is there anything else you would like to discuss, Clotted Cream Cookie?" Dark Cacao Cookie questioned. Clotted Cream put on his calm smile when he addressed the Ancient Cookies.
"No. That about covers my concerns currently. Thank you for your time." He said with a respectful bow.
The meeting was then adjourned for the night. It was late when everyone filed out of the council room and slowly dispersed throughout the large hallways of the castle back to their homes in town.

The sun rose on the kingdom. Bright rays of sunlight spilled across the land. The blueberry birds chirped merrily outside, welcoming the new day. But it wasn't the morning light or bird song that woke Jay from his slumber. His stomach lurched painfully when he tried to move, and his head pounded with the force of a hammer on his temple as he was taken over by a powerful hangover. Jay couldn't remember much from the previous night. But he regretted drinking so much. A wave of nausea crashed over him when he attempted to sit up. His vision swirled and spun around dangerously, sending waves of dizziness through his body, making him feel even sicker. He hastily laid back down in the hope it would make things better. Jay let out a loud pitiful whine as he prayed for his hangover to go away and his stomach to stop hurting.
The door to his room opened, and a maid Cookie peeked in cautiously.
"Baker? Are you alright?" She called.
"W-who's there?" Jay questioned weakly.
"I'm one of the castle's maids. Can I get you anything?" Maid Cookie offered.
"Get Pure Vanilla Cookie for me, please. Hurry." Jay replied.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie is on his way right now, Baker." The maid informed, "Can I get you anything else?" She said worriedly. Jay whimpered miserably and closed his eyes, shifting in bed uncomfortably.
"A drink with ginger in it. Anything with ginger, please. A-And a bucket, please." Jay panted, clenching his teeth as he fought off another wave of nausea that threatened to overcome him. The door closed quickly as the maid ran off to get what Jay needed. Not too soon after, the door opened again, and footsteps quickly ran to his bedside.
"Baker? Are you alright?" Pure Vanilla Cookie asked in concern. Jay cracked his eyes open to see Vanilla hovering over him. The light from the window behind him cast a glow over him, making him look angelic.
"No..." He whimpered. "I feel so sick..." Jay said.
"You did drink a lot last night." Vanilla reminded. Jay's lower lip quivered slightly, and he nodded his head.
"I know. I'm never drinking again..." He groaned. Pure Vanilla stifled a laugh. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Jay's forehead. Jay turned his face into Pure Vanilla Cookie's chest and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Pure Vanilla stroked Jay's hair soothingly.
"It'll all be okay, my dear," Vanilla reassured him with a small smile. He felt Jay squeeze him tighter.
"Vanilla... can you heal me, please?" Jay requested.
"Of course," Vanilla replied warmly. He kissed Jay's cheeks lovingly a few more times before pulling away. Pure Vanilla straightened up, and he held up his Vanilla Orchid Staff to the light, his other hand resting on Jay's stomach. The staff shone brightly for a moment, and Jay immediately felt the nauseousness melt away. He breathed a shaky sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Vanilla. You're amazing." He murmured gratefully. The nausea hadn't gone completely away, but it had faded enough to be bearable, so he could move around without feeling like he was going to throw up at any second.
Vanilla smiled as he lowered his staff and leaned closer to Jay again.
"I'll stay with you until you feel better." He whispered as he brushed some hair from Jay's forehead. Jay smiled softly.
"You don't have to. I know you're probably busy with other things." He replied. Though he did want Vanilla to stay by his side. Pure Vanilla nuzzled against his cheek and quickly placed a light kiss on the corner of Jay's mouth. Jay blushed in surprise when Pure Vanilla pulled away. The faint blush still graced Jay's cheeks, and Pure Vanilla's heart fluttered with joy at seeing Jay so flustered by him.
"I'd rather stay with you," Vanilla said quietly. His words made Jay smile. He gave Vanilla's hand a gentle squeeze.
At that moment, Jay wanted to confess his feelings for Pure Vanilla Cookie. Even before they had met, before Jay had known the Cookies had become sentient, he had always had a crush on Vanilla, despite him being a video game character. And now he was real, and he had feelings for him too. It was pretty obvious. Even Jay wasn't dense enough to deny it, with how Pure Vanilla was so affectionate towards him and constantly kissed his face when he got the chance. It filled Jay's stomach with butterflies whenever Vanilla gazed at him with adoration. Jay had never felt so thoroughly loved before. He was happy, safe, and taken care of. It almost made him forget that his current goal was finding a way back to his world.
Jay brought Pure Vanilla's hand to his cheek and nuzzled it affectionately.
"That... makes me so happy to hear you say that." He admitted.
Pure Vanilla opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by someone entering the room.
"Baker, I'm glad to see you're feeling better." Clotted Cream Cookie said cheerfully. The tall blonde Cookie walked over to the bed, carrying a silver serving tray with a hot pot of tea, a honey bowl, and fresh crystallized ginger shortbread cookies. Jay sat up in surprise, and when he realized that he was only in his underwear, quickly covered himself with the blanket.
"Clotted Cream Cookie? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on your way back to the Crème Republic right now?" Pure Vanilla inquired. Clotted Cream laughed lightly like the question was idiotic.
"Well, I couldn't leave without making sure the Baker was feeling better. I wanted to say goodbye before I left." He replied.
"I would hate for you to be late getting back to your duties in the Republic. I can handle things from here." Vanilla said. He stood up and attempted to take the serving tray from Clotted Cream. But Clotted Cream Cookie pulled away slightly.
"No, no, please, allow me." He insisted. He skirted past Pure Vanilla Cookie and carefully laid the tray across Jay's lap.
"Oh. Thank you, Clotted Cream," Jay said. "But I sent a maid to get me this. Why do you have it?" He questioned. Clotted Cream smiled brightly while he poured Jay a cup of fragrant ginger tea.
"I saw the servant with it and relieved her of her duty. I wanted to bring it to you myself." He answered.
"Oh. Ok," Jay said a little awkwardly. It was a little unnecessary, but the gesture was sweet. Jay picked up his teacup and slowly breathed in the robust earthy scent of ginger. He put the porcelain cup down and added two spoonfuls of honey to the tea before taking a small sip. He hummed pleasantly at the delicious taste. It warmed his insides, making his sore stomach feel better. Jay sighed contently, he looked up to find Clotted Cream Cookie watching him. Their gaze meeting made Jay blush, and his eyes quickly returned to his teacup. He took another delicate sip to hide how embarrassed he felt. Clotted Cream smiled brightly.
"How does your stomach feel now, Baker?" Pure Vanilla asked. When Jay's attention switched to Pure Vanilla Cookie, Clotted Cream felt his stomach twist with jealousy. The Ancient Cookie already got so much of the Baker's attention and love. It felt unfair. It was no secret that Pure Vanilla Cookie was one of the Baker's favourites. 
If you were favoured by him, the Baker prioritized you above other Cookies, made you stronger, praised you often, and you were showered with undivided love and attention. Every Cookie fought as hard as they could so that they could catch his eye and receive just a fraction of that boundless love. Clotted Cream tried so hard to keep these feelings of resentment toward Pure Vanilla Cookie hidden underneath his warm smile. But when he watched them interact, it began to bubble to the surface. He was jealous because the Baker looked at Pure Vanilla Cookie with such admiration, with so much love, and happiness. Clotted Cream wished he could have the same kind and loving treatment from the Baker he admired so much.
However, his jealousy wouldn't be so bad if Pure Vanilla Cookie didn't deliberately try to keep the Baker all to himself.
"I'm feeling a lot better now," Jay replied.
"I'm glad to hear it." Clotted Cream said.
"I... Um- I hope I didn't do anything embarrassing last night while I was drunk." Jay commented nervously. Clotted Cream smiled and chuckled lightly.
"Not at all. You were quite cute, actually." Clotted Cream complimented. Jay looked away bashfully as his cheeks were quickly dusted red. Pure Vanilla cleared his throat to speak up, but there was a knock at the bedroom door, interrupting him once again. Financier Cookie opened the door and bowed her head respectfully to Jay for the intrusion.
"Consul, the airship is ready to depart for the Crème Republic." She informed. Clotted Cream Cookie let out a quiet sigh. But he smiled and straightened up.
"Ah, it's time for me to go. I wish I could stay longer, but unfortunately, I am needed back in the Crème Republic. I'm sorry, Baker. I can't wait until it is my turn, then we can spend more time together." Clotted Cream Cookie offered a soft smile. Jay nodded and smiled back shyly.
"Thank you for coming to be here for the Baker's arrival, Clotted Cream Cookie." Pure Vanilla said politely. Clotted Cream Cookie waved him off and turned to the Baker.
"Of course, I wouldn't have missed the Baker's party for anything. But I only wish I could have been here to see you come through the portal." He said. Jay's eyes widened slightly. That was the first time someone had specifically mentioned how he got here. A portal. That could be his ticket home.
"P-Portal?" Jay spoke up. Financier Cookie interrupted him before he could fully get out this thought.
"Consul, we must be going." She reminded.
"Yes, yes, Financier Cookie. I'm coming." Clotted Cream replied. He turned to Jay one last time with a delicate smile. "Goodbye, Baker. I hope to see you again very soon." He said. Clotted Cream closed the small distance between him and Jay quickly. He leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek, but when Jay flinched away in surprise, Clotted Cream reluctantly backed off. He smiled like it hadn't happened and got to his feet.
"Until next time, Baker." Clotted Cream said kindly. With that, he headed for the door where Financier Cookie waited. Pure Vanilla kept his eyes on him the whole way. 
However, he paused for a second once he heard Jay mutter a shy 'goodbye', which earned an amused chuckle from Clotted Cream Cookie. Financier Cookie closed the door behind him after one last bow and a polite farewell. Jay and Pure Vanilla were left alone. They stayed silent for a moment. Jay's eyes slid to the now lukewarm tea in his hands. He was already lost in thought about the portal Clotted Cream had mentioned. Pure Vanilla then broke the silence. Jay expected him to bring up the obvious question about the portal. But instead, Pure Vanilla surprised him by not acknowledging it at all.
"Well, since your stomach is feeling better, I'll get you something for breakfast." Pure Vanilla said cheerfully. Jay had no time to interject as Vanilla got up and made his way to the door.
"O-Oh... alright." He said weakly.
The subject was unceremoniously dropped.

A few days passed. The time was spent getting used to a new routine and familiarizing himself with his kingdom's ins and outs. Pure Vanilla Cookie was by his side almost 24/7, gently guiding him through the day's affairs and keeping him company. All the Cookies were kind and friendly to him as usual, but it did nothing to stop Jay's guts from twisting with homesickness each night as he fell asleep.
Jay's mind was filled with thoughts of his friends and family frightened and distraught to find him suddenly gone. It made him sick thinking about how worried they were for him. He vanished without a trace. And no one would be able to find him.
Despite all the time they spent together, Jay could never find the time to talk to Vanilla about returning him to his world or the portal that transported him here. It seemed that anytime he brought up the idea of leaving, it was quickly brushed off, or the subject was changed with something to distract him. Even when he asked someone besides Pure Vanilla, he was met with an unhelpful answer or the question was dodged outright. It was beginning to make him feel uneasy.

It was a pleasantly warm afternoon. Jay and Pure Vanilla Cookie were having tea in the secluded part of the garden where Vanilla's pavilion was located, surrounded by tall blueberry floral hedges and manicured beds of vanilla orchids. The vanilla orchid pavilion used to be in a different part of the kingdom when Jay had placed it in-game. But it had been moved onto the castle grounds, though Jay didn't know why. 
Cream butterflies fluttered about the garden as Pure Vanilla Cookie sipped on his tea.
"It's such a lovely day," Vanilla commented happily. Jay nodded in agreement halfheartedly. His eyes were fixed on his cup of tea, endlessly stirring the liquid with the spoon. Jay had not touched the macarons that were served along with their tea. Pure Vanilla grew worried seeing Jay's lack of appetite and gloomy expression. He placed the delicate porcelain cup down.
"Baker, is everything alright?" Vanilla asked in concern. Jay rested his cheek on his palm as he continued to stir his cold tea. He tiredly glanced up at Vanilla and immediately averted his gaze to his tea. Pure Vanilla's heart sank. His brows furrowed deeply at Jay's sudden avoidance. He stood from his chair and walked around the small table to Jay's side. Jay continued to stare intently at his teacup, avoiding even looking at Pure Vanilla for fear of seeing his sad eyes.
"Are you upset? Are you not feeling well? Please, Baker, tell me what's wrong." Pure Vanilla implored gently. Jay sighed quietly before finally straightening up and turning to Vanilla in his chair. He stared into Vanilla's pretty heterochromatic eyes, which held worry and concern for him.
"Vanilla... please, I want to go home," Jay said weakly.
"You want to go back into the castle?" Pure Vanilla questioned. Jay shook his head.
"No. I want to go home, to my world. Please, you have to send me back." He pleaded. Pure Vanilla frowned slightly at the desperation in his voice. He hated seeing his Baker so distressed.
"I'm afraid I don't understand..." He confessed. "Aren't you happy here? If we're not doing enough, then please tell me! Anything you want, we will do. We want you to be happy!" Pure Vanilla replied. Jay groaned in frustration and cradled his head in his hands.
"You're not listening to me! I don't belong here, Vanilla. This place isn't my home. This world isn't my home!" He insisted. Pure Vanilla was shocked. He had thought he was doing a good job showing the Baker that this world was his true home. But evidently, he didn't show the Baker enough love to make him want to stay. Now he wanted to leave because he believed he wasn't loved, which made Pure Vanilla's chest tighten and hurt. Maybe he wasn't trying hard enough.
"Baker, that isn't true!" Pure Vanilla said desperately. "You belong here with us! We all love you so much!" He exclaimed.
"I can't stay here! Vanilla, I-I have a family. I have friends back home. I have a life that you took me from!" Jay argued. As soon as the words left his mouth, a thought occurred to him, and he went quiet. His pet cat had been left alone in his apartment with no one to care for her. Jay's eyes started to well up with tears at the painful realization. If nobody noticed his disappearance - she would run out of food and water. What if she died from neglect?
Jay's chest tightened so painfully from anxiety that it felt like he was about to suffocate. Jay clung to the edge of the table as he struggled to breathe. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Pure Vanilla felt his heart break at the sight. He rushed to comfort him. He knelt in front of Jay's chair and held his hands tightly.
"Shh, shh, it's okay. Don't cry, darling. It's going to be okay." Pure Vanilla soothed. He cupped Jay's face in his hands gently and brushed the tears away with his thumbs.
"M-My cat... s-she's all alone..." Jay sobbed.
"Is that what you want? We can get you a new pet like your old one right away. Would you like that?" He asked. This only made Jay cry harder.
"No!!" He wailed. Pure Vanilla felt helpless as he watched his beloved Baker sobbing hysterically. Nothing he said seemed to be able to comfort him.
"Please... please, send me back," Jay begged. Pure Vanilla pulled Jay close and wrapped his arms around him tightly. He stroked Jay's short black hair soothingly while humming softly and rocking them back and forth gently. After some time, Jay calmed down and began breathing normally again, with a few hiccups here and there.
"It's alright. Everything is going to be alright, I promise, my love." Pure Vanilla whispered.
"V-Vanilla... please." Jay whimpered. "Why won't you let me go?" He questioned, the tears threatening to spill over again. Vanilla Cookie pulled away from Jay and gazed at him with a sympathetic look. 
The Baker was the most important thing in his life. He would do anything to make him happy. 
But that was one thing he could not do.
"I know you miss your world, and I'm sorry that we brought you here when you didn't know what was happening, but I'm afraid we can't send you back." Pure Vanilla said sadly. Jay's eyes widened, and tears rolled down his cheeks again as he looked at him in disbelief. Pure Vanilla leaned forward and softly kissed his tears away.
"Why?" He said, his voice barely above a whisper and nearly gone.
"We used every bit of magic and technology we had to rip a hole between our worlds to pull you through. Even with the power of the Soul Jams, we could only do it once for a few moments. If we attempted it again, it would destroy the Soul Jams completely. That is why we asked you if you had wanted to come live with us permanently before we opened the portal." Pure Vanilla explained calmly. More tears slipped down his tear-stained cheeks, but Jay barely noticed them. He felt completely numb.
"I'm... I'm stuck here." Jay said shakily. "I'm... I'm trapped in this world." He whispered.
"You're not trapped, my Baker. It might take a little while, but I know you'll come to love living here. I promise I'll take care of you." Vanilla assured him softly. He kissed away the remaining tears from Jay's cheeks sweetly, caressing his face affectionately, wanting to kiss away all his pain and sadness. Jay sniffled slightly as Vanilla's feather-light kisses soothed him further. He let out a shaky breath and rubbed his stinging eyes when Vanilla pulled away and smiled encouragingly at him.
"Thank you..." Jay mumbled. Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled lightly.
"It's alright, my love," He said tenderly. Pure Vanilla was inches away from Jay's lips. His eyes flickered down to them briefly, and Jay held his breath slightly when he saw the look in Vanilla's eyes. Pure Vanilla leaned in suddenly, his eyes fluttering closed as he pressed his soft lips against Jay's in a tender, passionate kiss. Jay's heartbeat quickened, and he froze up for a split second as the taste of vanilla filled his mouth. But almost immediately, he allowed himself to lose himself in Vanilla's loving touch, letting the sweet scent of his dough wash over him. He wrapped his arms around Pure Vanilla, allowing him to pull him closer in return and deepen the kiss.
Jay felt like his mind was going blank. He couldn't believe this was happening. He had never been kissed like this before. It was his first time being kissed at all.
When they pulled apart, they were both breathless. They stared at each other with heavy eyes, panting softly. Pure Vanilla smiled gently. Jay returned the smile and nuzzled into his neck shyly. Pure Vanilla laughed softly and held his beloved tightly and protectively. They stayed like that for a few minutes, simply being together. Pure Vanilla was content. He knew that he had done the right thing by bringing the Baker here.
Pure Vanilla let Jay go for a moment so he could look him in the eyes.
"I love you, Baker." He breathed. Jay's face was flushed. It took a moment for him to process what Vanilla had said because his mind was still foggy with pure bliss. But even when he realized what he meant, he still couldn't believe what he heard.
Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled him in to capture his lips again in a warm, gentle, yet fervent, kiss. That was all it took to set Jay ablaze. Pure Vanilla kissed with passion and hunger, and all he wanted was more and more. A tiny moan escaped from Jay's lips softly as he melted under Vanilla's touch.
The two were so lost in one another that they didn't notice someone standing at the entrance to their secret garden escape. The Cookie cleared their throat awkwardly, causing Jay to gasp and break away from Pure Vanilla in surprise. However, Vanilla kept kissing Jay's shoulders and neck, causing him to turn red in embarrassment and cover his face with his hands.
"Vanilla!" Jay whispered harshly.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie, sir." The Cookie said formally. Pure Vanilla chuckled lightheartedly as he composed himself and finally pulled away from Jay to address the waiting Cookie.
"Ah, yes, Saltwater Taffy Cookie. It's good to see you!" He greeted cheerfully. Pure Vanilla Cookie straightened up and dusted his robe off. He went over to meet the other Cookie while Jay watched curiously. He had never seen this Cookie before in the game. Jay assumed they were an NPC, but he reminded himself that using a term like that probably wasn't appropriate anymore now that he was in this world. Every Cookie had free will and sentience. There was no such thing as a non-payable character now. 
Saltwater Taffy Cookie was a slender Cookie with tan dough, and long colorful gooey-looking pink hair tied back into a ponytail. His coat was paired with what looked like a uniform and armour, making Jay think he was a captain of some sort.
"Thank you, Pure Vanilla Cookie. It is an honour to be chosen to serve the Baker." He replied. Jay's eyes widened at this. Pure Vanilla turned to Jay and took a step away so Saltwater Taffy Cookie could greet him.
"Baker, this is Saltwater Taffy Cookie. He is going to be your new Captain of the Guard and will be training new soldiers to serve under you and protect your kingdom." Pure Vanilla said.
"New soldiers? I-Is that really necessary?" Jay said in surprise. Saltwater Taffy Cookie came forward and got down on one knee, respectfully bowing his head to Jay.
"Yes, Baker. Your kingdom requires the presence of strong warriors capable of defending your kingdom at all times. I promise I will work tirelessly to provide you with the best quality of soldier you could ever ask for." Saltwater Taffy Cookie swore solemnly. Jay was taken aback slightly by his seriousness. The kingdom was still small, and everything was relatively peaceful, so Jay didn't see much of a point in having a formal military. But... if Pure Vanilla thought it was a good idea, who was he to argue. He couldn't exactly say 'no' and send the Cookie home.
"Um, yes, thank you. I know you will." Jay replied a little awkwardly. He didn't know what to do, so he gently patted Saltwater Taffy Cookie on the head in encouragement. Saltwater Taffy Cookie rose to his full height. 
Jay couldn't exactly be sure, but he thought he saw tears in Saltwater Taffy Cookie's eyes for a split second.
"Thank you, Baker." He said. "We already have a good number of recruits ready for training, and more are on the way. I will have them whipped into shape in no time." Saltwater Taffy Cookie stated confidently.
"O-Ok, thank you. I'm counting on you." Jay replied with a nod. Saltwater Taffy Cookie gave a sharp salute before turning and leaving the garden.
Jay sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair nervously once he was gone. It was great that the kingdom was expanding and becoming more structured, but he didn't know if he could keep up with it. He really hoped no one expected him to run it. Jay wasn't king material.
"Baker, come along. There are a few more Cookies I want you to meet." Pure Vanilla prompted. Jay nodded, but when he tried to stand, he wobbled slightly. Because of that makeout session, his legs felt like jelly. Pure Vanilla noticed and quickly moved to envelop Jay in his arms, his cape covering him like a cocoon of safety.
"S-Sorry... my legs are a little weak after... that," Jay mumbled in embarrassment. Pure Vanilla chuckled in amusement and leaned down to lovingly kiss his lips. All of Jay's worries disappeared in an instant. He knew that no matter what happened, as long as Pure Vanilla was by his side, everything would be ok.
Vanilla pulled away slightly, though Jay could tell it was done reluctantly. He honestly didn't want to stop kissing Vanilla either.
"Want me to carry you?" Pure Vanilla offered. Jay blushed a little.
"No, no. I'm ok." He replied bashfully.
Jay found his footing quickly, and they made their way into the castle. As they walked down the hallways, Jay noticed that things seemed much more organized now than they were before. The service staff Cookies were working hard cleaning up and reorganizing everything. They only stopped their tasks briefly to greet him as he passed by.
From one of the large windows, Jay peered through and saw Saltwater Taffy Cookie diligently drilling a large group of other Cookies with swords in the castle yard.
"Hollyberry Cookie, Dark Cacao Cookie, and I have all carefully selected three Cookies to help keep the castle in order while I'm gone." Pure Vanilla Cookie explained as they walked. Jay looked up at Vanilla in disappointment.
"You're leaving?" He piped up.
"Yes. I must return to and oversee the Vanilla Kingdom. But don't fret, my dear. You will be in good hands." Pure Vanilla replied. Jay couldn't help but pout a little.
"I don't want you to leave." He muttered.
"I know. I don't want to leave you either." Pure Vanilla admitted. "But the schedule starts tomorrow, and it will be sometime before it's my turn to spend the day with you, so I will be going back to my kingdom for the time being." He said. Jay's heart dropped a little. He didn't want to be separated from Pure Vanilla for so long, and the whole schedule thing still made him a little uncomfortable. He would feel better about it if he knew Pure Vanilla was there in case he needed him.
"Right... the schedule." Jay sighed quietly. Pure Vanilla gave him a soft kiss on the forehead to reassure him.
"Well, it's a good thing that we have this time to spend together now." He said sweetly. Pure Vanilla suddenly scooped Jay up in his arms, causing him to squeak in surprise, and twirled around with him. Pure Vanilla giggled delightedly. Jay smiled as he wrapped his arms around his neck tightly, giggling as Pure Vanilla pressed loving kisses to his face.
"V-Vanilla!" Jay squealed happily. Pure Vanilla lowered Jay to the floor and smiled.
"After I'm finished my business in my kingdom, I'll visit you as often as possible. I promise." He assured. Jay brightened up.
"Ok." He agreed.

They entered the large elegant dining room, and there were service staff Cookies everywhere, tiding up and moving furniture around at the orders of another Cookie at the head of the room. She was a pretty and sophisticated-looking Cookie with long brown hair that coiled at the ends, the browns were broken up with streaks of caramel brown stripes, and her dough was dark brown. She noticed Jay and Pure Vanilla approach her, and she smiled.
"Baker, hello. I'm Choco Lava Cake Cookie. I will be your head Housekeeper and Steward going forward." She greeted kindly. Jay was about to return the greeting politely when another Cookie burst into the dining room from the kitchen.
"Choco Lava Cake Cookie!" They called in annoyance. The other Cookie raced over and dodged past the other service Cookies, who had to jump out of the way to avoid getting knocked over. The orange Cookie stopped in front of Choco Lava Cake Cookie. "I thought I told you to stop messing around with the kitchen! I can't find anything now!" The orange Cookie complained.
"The staff and I were simply organizing things." Choco Lava Cake Cookie explained calmly.
"Well, stay out of my kitchen from now on! What if I'm trying to make a meal for the Baker, and I can't find what I need because you moved it, and the food gets ruined, huh!?" They barked angrily. Choco Lava Cake Cookie seemed unconcerned with the other Cookie's anger. She kept her calm composure. "And another thing! I... uh..." The orange Cookie suddenly trailed off as if they had lost their train of thought. They finally seemed to notice Jay standing there and turned their head slowly. Their face immediately turned red in embarrassment.
"Baker! I-It's you- you're here!" The Cookie blurted out. Jay shied away slightly from the other Cookie's loud and energetic nature.
"Uhm, yep." He replied quietly.
"Baker, this is-" Choco Lava Cake Cookie began.
"Persimmon Cookie! I-I'm Persimmon Cookie." Persimmon stammered, interrupting Choco Lava Cake Cookie.
"Yes, Persimmon Cookie," Choco Lava Cake Cookie responded coolly, ignoring the interruption, "They are the castle's new head chef." She said.
"I was appointed by Hollyberry Cookie, and she specifically requested that I help care for you. I am thrilled to be here to cook for you!" Persimmon Cookie said proudly, finding their confidence returning rapidly and straightening up with a grin.
Persimmon Cookie was a Cookie of medium height with short orange hair that curled at the ends and bright blue eyes. They wore a long ankle-length burnt orange tunic with a spotless apron.
Jay smiled. Having a personal chef was pretty cool. Jay thought briefly about asking Persimmon if they could make dishes from his world. Or - this world's equivalent of what he wanted. He knew, eventually, that he would begin to crave his world's food and all his favourite dishes he used to cook back home. And having just a little piece of something from his world would bring him a lot of comfort.
"What kind of things can you cook?" Jay asked.
"Anything you want, Baker!" Persimmon Cookie answered eagerly. Jay nodded.
"Would it be ok if I used the kitchen to cook or bake for myself in the future?" He questioned. Persimmon Cookie stared at him for a second before replying.
"Oh yeah, sure! You're free to use the kitchen anytime you want. But if you ever want anything, you can ask me." Persimmon Cookie replied. "And if you want help, I would love to cook with you!" They added cheerily.
"Ok, thanks," Jay said. "A-And I hope it didn't come off like I didn't want to eat anything you cook! I just like cooking and baking as a hobby." He reassured awkwardly. Persimmon smiled brightly and clasped their hands together.
"Oh, believe me, Baker, it's fine! I understand." They replied.
"Well, everything seems to be taken care of. I know you both will take very good care of the Baker for me." Pure Vanilla spoke up. "As for me, I must be departing for the Vanilla Kingdom." He said. Jay frowned nervously at this news. He had hoped they could spend a little more time together before Vanilla had to leave.
"You have nothing to worry about Pure Vanilla Cookie. I will look after everything." Choco Lava Cake Cookie assured. Pure Vanilla nodded silently in gratitude and took Jay by the hand gently.
"Come with me, darling." He said. Jay eagerly followed Vanilla as they strode out of the dining room with Choco Lava Cake Cookie accompanying them. Jay clung to Vanilla's arm, wishing they didn't have to separate so soon. 
They walked to the end of the hallway, going through a set of large double doors that led outside. After walking through a small arched pathway in the gardens, they reached the landing pad, which served as a docking area for both airships and the kingdom's hot air balloon. A ship was already waiting there for Pure Vanilla. Jay sighed sadly as he reluctantly let go of Pure Vanilla's arm. Vanilla turned to him with a soft smile.
"Don't worry, my dear." He cooed. "I'll be back as often as I can to see you." He said. Jay smiled up at him. He tried not to let the sadness he felt leak through.
"Alright." He said quietly in defeat. Pure Vanilla leaned down and kissed Jay tenderly on the lips. It only lasted a couple of seconds, which was not long enough for Jay. When Pure Vanilla pulled away, he smiled fondly at his beloved Baker. Jay blushed deeply.
"I love you," Vanilla whispered. Jay's heart skipped a beat. It felt too soon to say it back, but the ache in his heart was undeniable, and he knew deep down that it was true, that he loved Vanilla too. Even though they had only known each other for a few days.
"I love you too," Jay murmured shyly. Pure Vanilla couldn't hide his delight at those words. It took everything he had to not just whisk Jay away to the Vanilla Kingdom with him, to hold him close and never let him go.
Pure Vanilla leaned down to capture Jay's lips in yet another passionate kiss. They stayed in each other's embrace for a few moments before Choco Lava Cake Cookie cleared her throat lightly, making Pure Vanilla pull away. Jay's face was flushed, and he had a slightly dazed look in his eyes. Pure Vanilla looked back to Choco Lava Cake Cookie and smiled sheepishly at her. 
"Ahem. R-Right, sorry, I should be going." He apologized, forcing himself to take a step away from Jay. "Goodbye, my love." Pure Vanilla cooed lovingly.
"B-Bye... I love you." Jay breathed.
Resist, Vanilla! You have to resist his cuteness! Vanilla scolded himself mentally. You have to resist!!
Jay watched as Pure Vanilla climbed up the steps and boarded the airship. As the ship slowly lifted off the ground, he waved goodbye to the Ancient Cookie.
"Have a safe journey! Be careful!!" Jay called. The gusts from the whirling propellers battered at him and prevented him from getting any closer to the ship as it took off. Pure Vanilla waved his staff.
"Take care, Baker!" He replied. The ship ascended high into the air, and Jay stood watching until it disappeared out of sight over the horizon. He sighed heavily, suddenly feeling like there was a massive hole in his heart.
Jay was taken out of his thoughts when Choco Lava Cake Cookie giggled beside him. He had been so wrapped up with Vanilla that he had forgotten she was there and had seen that whole mushy exchange. He began to feel kind of embarrassed.
"You and Pure Vanilla Cookie are quite the pair of lovebirds." She commented. Jay blushed brightly and hid his face with his hands.
"I know! I-I can't believe it either..." He replied bashfully. Jay took a deep breath. He glanced at his hands and realized he was shaking slightly. He shook his head and tried to pull his mind away from the thought of Pure Vanilla Cookie, instead turning his attention towards Choco Lava Cake Cookie. "So... what now?" He asked sheepishly.
"I'm glad you asked, Baker." Choco Lava Cake Cookie replied. She gestured for him to follow and led Jay back inside the Cookie Castle. "The schedule is beginning tomorrow. So we should get everything prepared." She said.
"Oh. Right." Jay mumbled. It looked like he had no say in rejecting the schedule. Not like he had a better idea anyway. "Who's up first?" Jay questioned.
"That would be Gingerbrave, Baker." Choco Lava Cake Cookie answered. Ok, that would be an easy start. It was a little ironic that the first Cookie he was to spend time with was the "main character" or essentially the mascot for the Cookie Run franchise.
"The order of the schedule is determined by rank. First, it will be the common rank Cookies, then the rare rank Cookies, and so on." Choco Lava Cake Cookie explained. Jay nodded to himself.
"Ok. So, what do we like... do all day?" He asked uncertainly.
"That's up to you and Gingerbrave. You can do whatever you like. Think of it like a play date with your friend." Choco Lava Cake Cookie suggested. Jay nodded, looking unsure.
"I'm... kinda not really good at that sort of thing. I'm afraid it will be boring. Do you have any ideas?" He said. Choco Lava Cake Cookie looked delighted at the opportunity to help.
"Of course. I can help you plan the entire day out so that you both will have a great time." She replied cheerfully. Jay smiled gratefully.
"Ok. If there's a plan, I won't be as nervous about doing this." He admitted.
"Everything will be fine, Baker. Just leave it all to me." Choco Lava Cake Cookie smiled confidently.
They headed to the study in Jay's room while discussing the plan for the play date with Gingerbrave the next day. Though Jay tried to pay attention and be present at the moment, his mind began to wander to his situation again.
Pure Vanilla Cookie said that it was impossible for him to return to his world. But Jay didn't believe that. Earthbread was an expansive world containing many powerful and magical beings, artifacts, and creatures capable of granting wishes. There had to be a way. The key to him opening a portal back to his version of Earth could be out there. He just had to find it. 
He refused to give up hope of going back to where he belonged, even though he often dreamed about this exact kind of scenario thousands of times before. Being whisked away to a better world of all his escapist fantasies, full of cute boys, adventure, and magic. In any other circumstance, he would be completely happy with staying in this world forever. But something about it didn't sit right with him. Maybe it was how all the Cookies treated him as if he was their god, which made him uncomfortable.
Baker. Maker. He was their Baker. Oh... he got it now. 
Was that really the reason every Cookie called him "Baker" and seemed to adore him? Because they thought he created them?
He supposed it was somewhat true according to the cutscene that played when he pulled a new Cookie from the gacha and brought them home. But with the Cookie's newfound sentience, they had to know it wasn't true. So why? Why go through all the trouble of creating a portal between their worlds to bring him here if they knew he wasn't responsible for creating them?
The unclear questions swirled around in his head, tugging and pulling at his brain, making it itch. He had no solutions. There was nothing he could do for the time being. The only thing he could do was wait and observe. Gather information. He doubted asking the Cookies for help would do anything, as they all seemed intent on keeping him here. If he was going to research a way home, it would have to be done secretly.
For now, this world was his home, and Jay considered himself lucky. Many other games would be a lot worse to be stuck in. At least the Cookies were kind to him and would look after him. And spending a little time getting to know all the Cookie characters he loved wouldn't be so bad. He was going to be alright.

Chapter Text

Jay had his work cut out for him. If you could call relaxing, and having fun daily on play dates 'work'. But still, it was exhausting for him. So much social interaction drained him quickly, and he had no time to recover because every Cookie wanted his attention every second of the day. It left him almost no time to think or research a way home. At one point, he even started to suspect it was a deliberate move to keep him busy. But the Cookies were way too good-natured to be that malicious towards him, even accidentally.
However, today Jay had more energy than usual and was excited about all the activities he had planned. Today he was spending the day with one of his favourite Cookies, Werewolf Cookie.
It was a beautiful, sunny day. The warm breeze brushed against Jay's arms and gently caressed his crispy dough. It was a perfect day for a picnic.
Jay waited outside the castle gates with a wicker basket in hand. He glanced at the clock tower in the distance, briefly wondering if he had shown up too early because of his excitement. Jay wasn't worried. He knew that Werewolf Cookie wouldn't blow him off. But he did worry that because of Werewolf's weariness of other Cookies would make him hesitant to show himself in town. They never agreed to meet at any other place. The only thing Jay could do was patiently wait for Werewolf Cookie to show up.
As the minutes ticked by, Jay began to get more and more anxious. Did something happen? Did he get the details of their play date mixed up and forget something?
Jay didn't want to leave the castle's front gates because it was the most obvious place Werewolf Cookie could show up to look for him. But his feet were beginning to hurt, and the uncertainty of whether Werewolf Cookie would come began to eat away at his confidence. Jay glanced at the clock tower again. It was nearly noon.
He gazed at the hypnotizing, sparkling soda waters in the canals as they flowed under the bridge. With a small sigh of defeat, Jay moved from his spot, and walked across the bridge to the plaza. Jay sat down on the rim of the white marble fountain and nervously fiddled with the contents of the picnic basket before resting it near his feet.
The kingdom plaza had a peaceful, tranquil air. A few Cookies were walking around enjoying the weather and going about their business as usual. Many Cookies stopped briefly to offer a friendly wave. To which Jay returned the gesture with a pleasant smile and a wave of his own. Though Jay could tell that the Cookies wanted to come over and chat with him, they were purposefully and begrudgingly keeping their distance. 
Choco Lava Cake Cookie had explained to him that other Cookies were not allowed to interfere with his play dates because of the "rules." Of which he was not informed about until way later. It was a little annoying that everyone decided these rules without him, but he could understand this particular one. Jay was pretty popular because he was the Baker, and having other Cookies interrupting a play date to get his attention would be unfair to the Cookie he was with.
Jay sighed heavily and rested his chin on the palm of his hand sadly. He considered going back to the castle and telling Choco Lava Cake Cookie about Werewolf Cookie not showing up, but that was when he spotted a familiar grey tail poking out from behind a tall, conical hedge. Jay got up and quietly made his way over to the bed of cream roses and peeked around the leafy hedge. Werewolf Cookie was standing there breathing deeply with his eyes closed and muttering to himself.
Jay didn't want to startle him in case Werewolf Cookie panicked, and it led to an unfortunate situation. He went around to the other side of the hedge where Werewolf could see him.
"Werewolf Cookie?" Jay called gently. As Jay had thought, Werewolf Cookie gasped, and his bright blue eyes snapped open, making his hair and gray fur bristle momentarily in surprise.
"Baker!" He exclaimed.
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you." Jay apologized. Werewolf's fur lay flat, but he still seemed on edge. He took a half step away from Jay.
"What were you doing back here?" Jay asked. Werewolf Cookie scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed, his eyes unable to meet Jay's.
"I was... just trying to calm myself before going to see you." He admitted bashfully.
"Oh," Jay replied in surprise. "I almost thought you had ditched me." He stated bluntly. Werewolf Cookie looked shocked at Jay's words.
"I wouldn't-!" He quickly cleared his throat and lowered his voice, trying to keep it calm. "I would never do that, Baker. I've been... really looking forward to this... I'm sorry for making you wait," Werewolf Cookie mumbled. He looked very embarrassed. Jay smiled at his cute awkwardness.
"It's ok. I'm just glad you're here." He replied sweetly. At his smile, Werewolf Cookie's tail began to wag, which only made Werewolf more embarrassed when Jay giggled at him because of it.
"C'mon, I have the whole day planned!" Jay said excitedly and offered his hand. Werewolf reached for Jay's hand but then hesitated. He pulled away and nodded.
"Where are we going?" Werewolf Cookie asked. Jay's smile didn't falter, and his hand fell to his side casually.
He knew Werewolf Cookie had trouble getting close to others because he thought of himself as dangerous. Jay wanted Werewolf Cookie to feel at ease with him, but he wouldn't force him out of his comfort zone if he wasn't ready.
"It's a surprise." Jay grinned. He gestured for Werewolf Cookie to follow him, and he went and picked up his picnic basket at the base of the fountain. Werewolf Cookie's grey ears perked up, but he didn't say anything. No doubt saving the surprise so Jay could reveal it later. Werewolf Cookie's tail didn't stop wagging.
Jay led Werewolf Cookie to the outskirts of the kingdom where the woods began. Werewolf Cookie was somewhat reluctant, but Jay reassured him it was fine, as he had scouted the area beforehand to make sure it was safe. But Werewolf Cookie was not worried about his own safety, he was worried about Jay. If monsters attacked them while they were in the woods, it would cause Werewolf Cookie to transform into his terrible, monstrous form in order to protect Jay from the threat. Werewolf Cookie would rather Jay never see him like that at all. If he accidentally hurt him because he couldn't control his wolf form, Werewolf Cookie wouldn't be able to live with himself.
Jay glanced back at Werewolf Cookie as they travelled down the dirt path and saw the anxiety etched into his face and his drooping ears.
"Werewolf Cookie, are you ok?" Jay asked in concern. Werewolf Cookie's ears perked up again at the sound of his name being called.
"I'm alright." He replied. But Jay noticed Werewolf's ear flick back and lay flat against his head. Jay frowned and stopped walking, allowing Werewolf Cookie to catch up with him. They faced each other. 
Werewolf Cookie was still apprehensive about getting too close. His stomach churned in guilt as he tried to think of an excuse to turn the conversation to something else.
Jay stared at Werewolf Cookie for a moment before he reached his hand out slowly. Werewolf Cookie tensed and shrunk back slightly, but he did not turn away. There was a pause before Jay patted Werewolf's shoulder gently, trying to offer the smallest amount of reassurance and comfort he could. Then, finally, Werewolf Cookie relaxed, slowly leaning into Jay's touch. His tail began to wag again. 
When Jay moved his hand away, Werewolf Cookie had the urge to chase after the feeling of his touch.
A happy bubble of laughter escaped Jay's mouth, and his cheeks flushed pink.
"S-Sorry. Your tail is wagging again." He pointed out with a laugh. Werewolf Cookie immediately grabbed his tail to stop it from swinging.
"I-It... does that by itself. Sorry..." He mumbled bashfully.
"No, no! It's ok. I think it's really cute." Jay insisted. He smiled warmly as he gave Werewolf Cookie another pat on the shoulder. Werewolf's eyes widened at Jay's reaction, and his cheeks burned. His heart began to race faster. The butterflies in his stomach stirred, and against his will, his tail betrayed his true feelings. When Jay noticed Werewolf's tail happily wagging yet again, he chuckled even more. Werewolf Cookie's blush deepened.
"C'mon, we're almost there." Jay prompted.
"Can I... Can I hold your hand?" Werewolf blurted out. Werewolf Cookie felt his heart jump out of his chest as soon as the words left his mouth. He hoped it wasn't too forward.
Jay stared at Werewolf Cookie for a split second before a huge smile spread across his face.
"Of course you can," He answered sweetly. Jay offered his hand, and warmth spread across Werewolf Cookie's chest as he tentatively grasped Jay's hand. Werewolf Cookie couldn't meet Jay's gaze and had to look away bashfully. Jay smiled and gave his hand a tender squeeze as they began walking again.
Werewolf Cookie could hardly believe what was happening. Was he really holding hands with the Baker?
The Baker was kind and gentle to all Cookies but was especially kind to him. Werewolf knew he was one of the Baker's favourites, so he thought he would be used to his praise and the tenderness of his touch, but being in person and on the receiving end of his affection was almost too much to handle for him. It was nothing like when the Baker was on the other side of the screen playing the game. He had never been treated with such gentleness and consideration before.
They turned off the dirt path onto a narrow, worn trail through the brush. Werewolf Cookie's ears rotated rapidly, so he could listen closely for any noises or movements that might tell him they were not alone. But the odd thing was, they were totally alone. He couldn't hear any of the usual forest animal chatter around him. It was unusually quiet. Which was concerning, to say the least.
Werewolf sniffed the air cautiously. And he caught the subtle hint of a sweet, flowery essence. Did he detect the scent of... lilac?
"We're here! Surprise!" Jay announced excitedly. Werewolf was pulled from his thoughts, and he stared at a small field dotted with patches of wildflowers. He guessed that's where the scent of lilac had come from.
"Knowing our play date was coming up, I went out and searched for a nice quiet spot for us to spend the day together," Jay said. He held up the wicker basket he was carrying and smiled. "And you probably already guessed it, but we're having a picnic!" Jay continued with a grin. A faint smile crossed Werewolf Cookie's face.
"You went to all this trouble for me?" He asked softly.
"I wouldn't say trouble," Jay said. "I wanted you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself today, so... yeah." He finished shyly. Werewolf Cookie urged his heart to calm down. His tail hadn't stopped wagging ever since Jay started holding his hand, and now it was wagging even harder.
"Thank you." He breathed. Jay smiled. Werewolf Cookie gazed at him lovingly.
"Of course, anytime," Jay replied. When he saw Werewolf Cookie staring at him with such fondness, he averted his gaze bashfully and cleared his throat slightly. "Well, let's go!" Jay prompted. He let go of Werewolf Cookie's hand and happily bounded down the gentle slope into the field. The long, unkempt grass came up past his waist. Jay stood in the meadow for a long moment, admiring the beauty of the scenery. He took a deep breath of fresh air as a breeze rolled through, creating a hush through the grass like that of ocean waves.
Werewolf Cookie caught up to Jay and stood by, watching him with a fond smile.
After taking a few moments to bask in the serene atmosphere, Jay turned to Werewolf and gestured for him to follow. Jay led him to a spot where the grass was shorter under the shade of a tree. 
Werewolf Cookie helped set up the blanket despite Jay's fussing, saying he should relax and let him do it.
When they were settled and seated comfortably, Jay sighed contently and flopped onto his back, hands pillowing the back of his head. He stared up at the leaves of the tree above them. The fragments of sunlight shimmered beautifully as they danced on top of the leaves. The light filtered through the gaps, casting a soft dappled glow on their faces. Jay closed his eyes.
"It's so peaceful here. I almost want to fall asleep." He commented quietly. Werewolf Cookie got comfortable and lay next to Jay. He didn't let himself get too close, but close enough that his arm brushed against Jay's body.
"Yeah." Werewolf Cookie agreed softly. "You can if you want. I'll watch over you." He replied.
"Mmm... tempting. But I don't want to take a nap in the middle of our play date." Jay said. A comfortable silence hung between them. Neither of them spoke, and they listened to the wind rustling through the trees and the distant sound of birdsong. They didn't have to talk. Werewolf Cookie was happy just being near Jay and enjoying his company. It was a wonderful feeling.
It was quiet until Werewolf Cookie shuffled and sat up. He began to occupy himself with something, but Jay didn't open his eyes and continued to relax. Despite his insistence on not napping, Jay began to doze. It was the perfect day. The air was warm and serene, with a light breeze to keep it from getting too hot out. Puffy white clouds rolled lazily across the sky occasionally blocking out the sun for a moment.
After a minute or so, Jay begrudgingly opened his eyes to keep the temptation of sleep away. He hadn't realized how tired he was. He yawned and stretched his limbs cutely before sitting up. Jay rubbed his eye. Just the act of resting his eyes for a little while made him feel refreshed.
Jay looked over to see what Werewolf Cookie was busying himself with.
Werewolf Cookie was surprisingly weaving wildflowers together in a chain. Daisies, buttercups, and forget-me-nots woven together to form a flower crown. Jay stared in amazement as he watched Werewolf Cookie work. Werewolf Cookie continued to focus even when Jay scooted closer to him to gaze curiously at his craft, making him a little flustered.
Jay had seen the fake plastic kind of flower crowns before, but never a full real one.
"That's so cool." He commented.
"It's for you." Werewolf Cookie replied shyly, without taking his eyes off the flowers.
"R-Really? Wow, thank you," Jay said gratefully.
Werewolf Cookie tied the last stem gently and then presented the finished crown to Jay. Jay playfully lowered his head to allow Werewolf Cookie to place the crown on. When it was slipped on, Jay carefully touched the brightly colored blooms and smiled happily at Werewolf Cookie.
"How does it look on me?" Jay asked. He put his hands under his chin and fluttered his eyelashes at Werewolf Cookie lightheartedly. Werewolf Cookie blushed lightly and looked away. Jay could outshine the prettiest of flowers without trying, but Werewolf Cookie kept this thought to himself.
"It... looks good." He answered bashfully. Jay laughed a little and leaned in closer.
"Can you show me how to make one? I wanna give you a crown too!" He said cheerfully.
"S-Sure..." Werewolf Cookie replied.
Jay's hands were clumsy, and he fumbled with the stems over and over again. He huffed in annoyance as he accidentally snapped a flower stem by pulling too hard. Despite it having been three weeks since his arrival, Jay still wasn't used to his new body's hands. Without the fingers he was used to, articulating things was a lot more difficult. How Cookies did anything with these useless mitts was beyond him. But Werewolf Cookie was patient with him. He gently guided Jay's hands when he had trouble and soon enough, the flower crown was complete.
Jay glowed with pride at his small accomplishment.
"Here, let me put it on for you!" He chirped. Werewolf Cookie nodded. He bowed his head and Jay slipped the flower crown over his wolf ears. It fit him perfectly. "Aww, we match now." Jay grinned happily. Werewolf Cookie smiled softly at Jay in return.
They sat by admiring the field quietly while cuddling together, watching as the clouds passed by.
Jay eyed the open meadow. Now that he had made a flower crown, there was something else he had always wanted to do.
"You know what I want to do right now?" Jay said aloud. Werewolf Cookie tilted his head to the side quizzically.
"What?" He asked.
"I want to frolic in that damn field." Jay grinned widely. He quickly got to his feet and bounded through the tall grass until he stood in the middle of the clearing. Jay glanced back at Werewolf Cookie. Looking almost timid and self-conscious. Werewolf Cookie offered a wave, to which Jay returned the gesture shyly.
After gathering some courage, Jay began running around freely and skipping through the tall blades of grass. He ran in circles, spinning on his heels, and his joyous laughter and crows rang out across the clearing. Jay leapt gracefully, sometimes stumbling a couple of times. But that didn't stop his fun.
Werewolf Cookie felt his own mouth curve upwards into a smile. The Baker really looked absolutely adorable with his carefree smile. The sight of him laughing so happily made Werewolf Cookie happy, too. He almost wanted to join in on the frolicking, but he didn't want to ruin the Baker's fun by interrupting.
Werewolf Cookie watched Jay's every move with fascination. His tail slowly swung behind him.
"I'm gonna do a cartwheel!" Jay shouted. He hopped in preparation and took a couple of steps back before dashing forward. It was a clumsy, poor attempt at a cartwheel. Jay flopped into the grass spectacularly with a soft "oof," sending a few butterflies fluttering into the air. Werewolf Cookie's ears perked and angled toward the meadow when Jay didn't get up after a moment.
"Baker?" Werewolf Cookie called. The little nagging fear that the Baker somehow accidentally hurt himself propelled Werewolf Cookie to his feet, and he raced into the field.
"Baker! Are you alright?" Werewolf exclaimed in worry. When he got there, he saw that the spot where Jay had been was empty, except for a flattened patch of grass. Werewolf Cookie looked around in confusion. He jumped when he felt a light pinch on the tip of his tail. Werewolf Cookie whirled around to see Jay crouched low in the grass, grinning mischievously at him.
"Gotcha!" Jay laughed. Werewolf Cookie frowned slightly.
"You- you shouldn't scare me like that." He muttered.
"Sorry, sorry." Jay apologized sheepishly. He stood and bounded ten steps away from Werewolf Cookie. "C'mon, let's play or something! I tagged you, so you're it." Jay called cheerfully.
Werewolf Cookie's ears stuck straight up, and his tail began to wag. But he was hesitant to approach.
"Are you sure you want me to chase you?" He asked nervously.
"Well, yeah, that's how you play tag, ya goof!" Jay snickered playfully.
"But..." Werewolf Cookie trailed off. He didn't budge. He looked around the clearing as if expecting someone to be there watching them.
"Come on, please! We're totally alone here." Jay insisted. "And I haven't done this sort of thing in forever! So, please? It'll be fun!" He added.
Jay bent over and put his hands on his knees with an eager grin. A signal and an invitation to play. Werewolf couldn't help his tail from going wild and his face from flushing red. Seeing the Baker encouraging him to play was so adorable. Werewolf Cookie's heart soared.
"Okay, okay." He relented. Werewolf Cookie quickly bounded toward Jay, making him squeal happily and flee.
Werewolf Cookie could easily catch Jay without much effort, but in the interest of fairness and making Jay happy, he chased him for as long as possible.
Jay took a few steps forward, unable to run anymore. He bent over, breathing heavily. Werewolf Cookie swiftly pounced and lightly tagged Jay on the shoulder.
"You're it." He said with a smile.
"O-Ok... gimme a sec." Jay panted. 
Once Jay caught his breath, he spun around and sneakily tried to tag Werewolf Cookie right back. Werewolf dodged out of the way, and he couldn't hold back a laugh.
They chased each other through the meadow, teasing each other, laughing, and playing carefreely like they were young Cookies. Tagging each other back and forth endlessly. Their laughter echoed through the meadow, mixing with the distant sounds of birds singing and the rustling of the branches of the trees. Werewolf Cookie felt himself smiling more than he ever had in a long time as he chased Jay. He couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun. The Baker was truly wonderful.
Werewolf Cookie cut off Jay's escape to tag him. But when Jay tried to spin on his heel to get away, his feet got tangled, and he clumsily dropped to the ground. Werewolf lunged and quickly caught Jay before he hit the earth and shielded him as they both fell onto the grass. Jay ended up on top of Werewolf Cookie. They paused for a moment. Panting heavily and catching their breath quietly, the last of their giggles escaping in tired gasps. Jay looked down at Werewolf Cookie with a soft, affectionate gaze.
"Hey." He greeted playfully. Werewolf Cookie blushed profusely.
"Hey..." He replied. Jay inched his face closer, and Werewolf Cookie's breath hitched slightly. Werewolf Cookie swallowed hard and held his breath nervously, expecting a kiss.
"Told you it would be fun," Jay said. Werewolf Cookie nodded, too flustered to speak. Desperately trying not to make his face go even redder. But it was difficult when his tail was thumping against the ground like crazy. Jay began laughing.
"That was so much fun!" He chirped. Werewolf Cookie finally managed to say something.
"Um... Y-Yeah." He managed to choke out, "It was." He mumbled. Jay giggled as Werewolf Cookie struggled to sit up and untangle themselves from each other. Jay was still giggling when he jumped on Werewolf Cookie, pulling him into a bear hug and forcing them both back to the ground. Werewolf Cookie froze as he felt Jay burrow his face into the crook of his neck and sigh. Jay laid on top of him, relaxing and placing all his weight on Werewolf Cookie.
Werewolf Cookie's heart jumped into his throat as he tried his best to maintain his composure. He wasn't entirely successful because Jay continued to nuzzle him affectionately.
Werewolf Cookie slowly relaxed and returned the embrace. Holding Jay against him securely.
"Mmm... let's have lunch now," Jay suggested. Werewolf Cookie nodded in agreement. Despite the suggestion of having lunch, neither of them attempted to move for a couple of minutes. Truth be told, Werewolf Cookie could stay like this with Jay forever.
Werewolf Cookie's ear flicked as it was tickled by Jay's quiet laugh. Jay adjusted his position slightly.
"I'm too tired to move now." He said.
"I'll carry you." Werewolf Cookie replied.
"You don't have to," Jay said quietly. He attempted to move, but Werewolf Cookie held him tightly before sitting up. Werewolf Cookie guided Jay's legs to hug his waist, easily lifting him off the ground.
"Let's go eat," Werewolf Cookie said. Jay laughed a little bashfully, feeling how effortless it was for Werewolf Cookie to carry him.
"You're so strong~" He cooed. Werewolf Cookie blushed. He was glad Jay didn't notice the slight tremble that ran through his body at hearing his comment.
Werewolf Cookie walked out of the tall grass and carefully set Jay down on the checkered picnic blanket. His hands hovered at Jay's waist for a long moment before slowly sliding down the length of his legs tenderly. Werewolf Cookie could see Jay's face flushing slightly at his touch as they gazed into each other's eyes. Werewolf Cookie was affecting the Baker just as much as he was affecting him.
Neither of them moved. Their faces were inches apart.
The smallest touch from Werewolf Cookie had Jay's heart threatening to beat out of his chest. Was he really this starved for affection, or was it Werewolf Cookie's delicate touch doing this to him? It was nothing like this during the past few weeks when he was around other Cookies.
Similarly to Werewolf Cookie, Jay had not been treated with such gentleness and care before. Not until he had been brought to Earthbread, that is. It was a little overwhelming for him still. As he spent time with the Cookies he had always adored, without the shield of a screen between them, he couldn't help but feel uncertain and flustered about being so close to someone else. It was so much more nerve-wracking. Especially with the Cookies Jay had crushes on. His desire for closeness and the tension continued to bubble up in him. Jay yearned for a deeper connection, but he was hesitant to take a step further and risk rejection.
The seconds stretched into what felt like hours as the two were stuck just inches apart. So close, but still so far away. Then Werewolf Cookie dared to make the first move. He leaned in, and Jay, without thinking, automatically wanted to reciprocate. Jay couldn't think about anything else but the heat coming from Werewolf Cookie's face and the hypnotizing pull of his sky-blue eyes. He closed his eyes and leaned in.
But seeing Jay's soft lips awaiting him, Werewolf Cookie felt a pang of panic shoot through him. He hesitated and reluctantly pulled himself away. Werewolf Cookie turned his head, and his ears drooped, startled by his own boldness.
Jay's eyes quickly opened again when he felt Werewolf Cookie's presence back away.
"I... shouldn't have. I-I'm sorry..." Werewolf Cookie stuttered out weakly. Jay's face flushed hot. He felt embarrassed, but even more than that, he felt ashamed of himself. Did he misread the situation and accidentally assume that Werewolf Cookie had feelings for him?
A hot mixture of shame and dread flooded through Jay, making his stomach tie itself into knots. He never wanted to make Werewolf Cookie uncomfortable, but he ended up overstepping his boundaries anyway by being too casually affectionate. Jay wanted to apologize, to say that it wasn't Werewolf Cookie's fault, but he was paralyzed. He couldn't even open his mouth to say anything. All he could do was sit by and drown in the awkward silence. He had completely ruined their play date by being weird. 
There was no way he would ever emotionally recover from this.
Werewolf Cookie, unbeknownst to Jay, was feeling even worse. He wanted to kiss Jay, but his fear of the beast within him prevented him from getting too close to the Cookie he loved. It tore him up inside. And now he had hurt Jay's feelings and turned the serene atmosphere over them into an oppressive awkwardness. Werewolf Cookie had no idea what to do to make things better. He regretted being too forward.
After what felt like an eternity of agony, Jay was the first who dared to move. He reached over to the picnic basket and dragged it in front of him. Werewolf nervously glanced at Jay from the corner of his eye, unable to bring himself to look at him directly.
Jay rooted around in the basket and began pulling out the cutlery to distract himself. He set out the containers of food neatly and grabbed the thermos for the drinks. Jay placed a bento box in front of Werewolf Cookie silently. He paused, afraid to speak.
"I... uh, made this for you," Jay uttered hesitantly. Werewolf finally looked up, and their eyes met. Jay averted his gaze bashfully and busied himself with unpacking the picnic basket again.
"For me?" Werewolf Cookie whispered. Jay nodded and scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"I-If you don't want it, we have sandwiches." He replied.
"No... I do." Werewolf Cookie said. He turned his attention to the bento box and carefully lifted the plastic lid. Werewolf Cookie's heart did a flip when he gazed at the lovingly made lunch. The rice was molded into the shape of a wolf and dyed a light grey with sides consisting of a fluffy rolled omelette, sweet meatballs, sauteed mushrooms, and slices of hard-boiled egg.
The longer Werewolf Cookie stared at the lunchbox, the more Jay came to regret making it. If he had known how things would turn out today, he would have just stuck to bringing sandwiches and fruit.
"I-I didn’t make the entire thing myself." Jay piped up nervously. "Persimmon helped me a lot to make the bento. A-And I got the cucumber sandwich recipe from Cherry Blossom when we had a picnic a few days ago. Since... I really liked them, a-and she taught me how to make them." He rambled.
"You really made this... for me?" Werewolf Cookie repeated. Jay looked up from wringing his hands in surprise.
"Of- Of course. I wanted to so... I did." He replied. Werewolf Cookie paused. His face was flushed a bright red.
"I like it. I really do..." He said. Relief washed over Jay. He was worried that the cute personalized lunchbox would have made things even more awkward, but he was glad that Werewolf Cookie liked it. Jay smiled slightly.
"That's good." He sighed quietly. Jay had expected the awkward air to lift, but the silence continued, making him begin to fidget and feel anxious all over again.
Werewolf Cookie couldn't stand it anymore. His need for closeness and affection grew stronger and stronger by the minute. Every time Werewolf Cookie was near Jay, his mind went blank with longing, and his heart swelled with love. He didn't want to jeopardize his relationship with Jay over a mistake, even if his instincts were telling him it was better to not get close to him at all. Werewolf Cookie wanted to be with Jay. Because he understood him more thoroughly than any other Cookie. And if he was too timid, he would never win Jay's heart at this rate. Some other Cookie would steal him away, and that thought forced Werewolf Cookie's hand.
Though he was scared, Werewolf Cookie turned around to face Jay and slid closer to him, his tail curling around his form lightly.
Jay was surprised, but he didn't react in case that would make Werewolf Cookie back off again. But he was relieved that Werewolf Cookie wasn't upset at him. Jay took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
"Werewolf... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to kiss you. I-I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," He apologized. Werewolf Cookie's ears perked at that, and he looked up, his eyes wide.
"You... You're sorry for making me uncomfortable?" Werewolf asked softly, his voice uncertain. Jay nodded. He ignored his own discomfort and Jay kept his eyes locked on Werewolf Cookie's, to show him that he was sincere.
"I know you have trouble getting close to others, and I shouldn't have gotten so affectionate with you without checking if you were okay with it first," Jay said, scratching the back of his neck out of habit. Werewolf Cookie's heart swelled at Jay's consideration for his feelings.
"It's ok... You don't have to apologize. If it's you, and only you... It feels right." He admitted shyly. Jay blushed brightly. He stared, dumbfounded for half a second, before he snapped out of it to reply.
"O-Oh..." Jay mumbled.
"It's my fault..." Werewolf Cookie went on, "I want to be close to you, but I'm afraid. Afraid that the beast inside me might hurt you..." He said bitterly.
"Werewolf, I know that you would never hurt me. It's OK," Jay reassured gently.
"How...? How do you know?" Werewolf Cookie questioned. Jay hesitated before answering. He wanted to say it was because he knew Werewolf Cookie. Despite his loneliness and tendency to push others away, he yearned for a connection. Jay could relate to him a lot. But Jay only knew the game version of Werewolf Cookie, not the real him that sat in front of him now. Jay's knowledge of the Cookies and of Earthbread was limited to what the game showed and told him. So could he really say that he knew him?
"Well, do you care about me?" Jay asked. Werewolf Cookie's eyes widened slightly.
"Of course I do." He replied.
"Then I have nothing to worry about. I trust you." Jay smiled. Warmth spread through Werewolf Cookie's chest as butterflies erupted in his stomach. He looked down quickly to hide his blushing face.
"Can I... hug you?" Werewolf Cookie asked bashfully. He held out his arms and waited. Jay laughed lightly and nodded.
"Yeah, of course." He said happily. Jay shuffled over on his knees and wrapped his arms around Werewolf Cookie's shoulders. Without hesitation, Werewolf Cookie pulled Jay onto his lap and squeezed him tightly, savouring the feeling of their bodies pressed closely together. Jay couldn't deny how good this felt. And he could tell Werewolf Cookie was enjoying himself by how fast his tail was wagging.
"Mmm... we should eat before the food gets too warm." Jay prompted.
"I don't want to let you go yet..." Werewolf Cookie mumbled into Jay's neck. Chills went up Jay's back as he felt Werewolf Cookie's lips move against his dough. He paused and swallowed.
"Alright, alright. But at least try one of my sandwiches!" Jay said cheerfully. He didn't have much room to move, but Jay leaned over the best he could and gingerly picked up a small cucumber sandwich from the container. Werewolf Cookie pulled away slightly to take the sandwich, but Jay stopped him.
"Say ahh~," Jay said cutely. Werewolf Cookie blushed. Jay then offered the sandwich to Werewolf Cookie, gently pressing it against his lips. With a nervous gulp, he hesitated briefly before finally opening his mouth. Werewolf Cookie sunk his fangs into the soft bread. The sandwich was sweet and creamy, with the cool, refreshing taste of cucumbers to balance out the sweetness of the spread.
"It's good. They taste different from Cherry Blossom Cookie's sandwiches." Werewolf Cookie commented. Jay smiled as he nibbled on his own sandwich.
"Yeah, I added a little spice to it to give it more flavour." He replied. Once Jay finished his cucumber sandwich, Werewolf Cookie pulled him back into a warm embrace, quietly letting out a sigh. Jay laughed lightly. He petted Werewolf Cookie's dark grey hair softly.
"Let's eat our lunch boxes now," Jay whispered into Werewolf Cookie's ear with a snicker. Werewolf Cookie quickly released Jay from his grip, his face flushed.
"Sorry..." He apologized.
"It's ok! Not saying I don't want to cuddle. We can do that after lunch." Jay said. "I-If you're ok with that." He added. Werewolf nodded.
"I would like that." He agreed shyly.
Now that the tension between them was dispelled, they happily began eating their lunches. Werewolf Cookie cherished his bento more than Jay could ever imagine. It was even more delightful when he glimpsed over and saw the simplicity of Jay's lunch. This told Werewolf Cookie that Jay had put all his love and effort into making his bento. And it tasted just as good as it looked.
They ate lunch happily while making idle chat. Jay could tell Werewolf Cookie was relaxed. He was smiling more easily now that everything had been cleared up and was less tense than he had been earlier. He seemed genuinely happy, which made Jay happy.
Jay inched closer to Werewolf Cookie as they ate until their sides were touching, savouring the warmth of his body against his own. But Jay backed off when he felt Werewolf Cookie tense up once again.
"Sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable?" Jay apologized worriedly. Werewolf Cookie frowned sadly.
"No... It's not you. I'm sorry." He said quietly. "It's just... I know you said you aren't afraid of me. But you should be. I'm still afraid I will hurt you, and that's why I can't fully relax." Werewolf admitted. Jay moved closer to Werewolf Cookie and leaned his head on his shoulder.
"I'm still not afraid. I like you, Werewolf." Jay answered firmly. He was quiet for a second before chuckling lightly to himself. "And honestly, I'm kinda into werewolves. If you know what I mean," Jay said with a sly smile. As Werewolf Cookie processed his words, Jay saw his face turn beet red, and his tail began thumping against the ground.
Jay quickly turned his face away to hold in his laughter. 
Why in the world did he say that? When did he get so bold? Not that Werewolf Cookie's reaction wasn't priceless. He did mean what he said, as embarrassing as it was.
"Sorry! I-I shouldn't have said that. You're so cute, Werewolf Cookie." Jay snickered. Werewolf Cookie only got more flustered from Jay's comment. He couldn't take any more.
Jay was suddenly pushed back. He braced himself on his hands and leaned backwards as Werewolf Cookie crawled on top of him. Jay's heart pounded. He fell back farther onto his elbows as Werewolf Cookie gained more ground and moved in closer.
"Baker... Can I kiss you, please?" Werewolf Cookie whispered. Jay stared in stunned silence. Despite only a few minutes ago, he was the one eager to kiss Werewolf Cookie. Perhaps he had gotten too carried away.
Jay swallowed nervously. But the moment he opened his mouth to answer, Pure Vanilla Cookie's voice rang out in the clearing.
"Baker!" He called excitedly. Pure Vanilla Cookie appeared as if from nowhere, and when he spotted them, he happily ran through the meadow towards their picnic. Werewolf Cookie quickly got off of Jay, his ears pinned to his head awkwardly.
"What... is Pure Vanilla Cookie doing here?" He mumbled, almost to himself. Jay's heart leapt into his throat. He felt a rush of excitement at seeing Pure Vanilla again, mixed with a tinge of apprehension at his unexpected appearance.
Jay jumped to his feet and ran into the grass to greet Pure Vanilla.
"Vanilla!" He shouted. When Pure Vanilla Cookie laid eyes on Jay, he lit up joyfully like he hadn't seen him in years. Pure Vanilla Cookie lifted his robes and bounded towards Jay, tackling him into an embrace. He lifted Jay, twirling him around excitedly. Jay laughed helplessly as Pure Vanilla Cookie spun him around. Werewolf Cookie eyed them enviously.
"V-Vanilla what are-" Jay barely had any time to speak before Pure Vanilla pulled him into a passionate kiss. Pure Vanilla Cookie kissed him like he was a man starved, and Jay could do nothing but hang on for dear life.
When they parted, they panted gently for a moment.
"I missed you so much." Pure Vanilla said breathlessly. Jay's heart fluttered, but he quickly became flustered when he glanced at Werewolf Cookie. He stood there, watching them awkwardly.
Pure Vanilla Cookie noticed the flower crown on Jay's head and gently brushed the blossoms with a curious smile.
"This is lovely." He commented. 
"We- We, uh, s-sorry..." Jay mumbled as he tried to pull his thoughts together. "Werewolf and I were just on a play date." He explained.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for interrupting!" Pure Vanilla apologized. "As soon as I landed, I had to come find you. I have a special surprise for you, darling." He said happily.
"O-Oh? A surprise? Well, I can't wait to see it after-," Jay began to say until Werewolf Cookie cut him off.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie... you have to follow the rules." He muttered quietly. Werewolf Cookie had gotten closer, though he kept a small distance between him and Pure Vanilla. He hovered near Jay.
"It's very important! And I promise it won't take long at all, Werewolf Cookie." Vanilla reassured.
"But-" Werewolf Cookie's weak protest went unheard as Pure Vanilla Cookie quickly grabbed Jay's hand and began leading him away.
"Come, darling. I know you will love it!" Vanilla said excitedly. However, before Werewolf Cookie could be left behind, Jay grabbed his hand and pulled him along with them. He smiled at Werewolf Cookie silently and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Werewolf Cookie smiled back gratefully.

Pure Vanilla Cookie brought them back to the castle. He guided Jay and Werewolf Cookie to the bedchamber and, after a playful pause, opened the door. For a moment, as he looked around, Jay couldn't see what was different. Until he noticed a white medium-sized gift box with a neatly tied red bow sitting on the bed. Jay let go of Werewolf Cookie's hand as he was overcome with curiosity. Pure Vanilla Cookie ushered him towards the gift.
"I hope you like it, my dear." Pure Vanilla said sweetly. Jay stared at the present for a moment. There were holes punched in the top, and when he moved the ribbon to get a better look, the box suddenly jumped, like something was inside. Jay didn't need to guess what it was. A delicate mewl came from the box, and Jay's heart jumped slightly. He quickly pulled the ribbon off and lifted the lid. Inside the box was a sleek black kitten with a red bow around its neck. It gazed up at him with big green eyes.
The resemblance to his cat in the real world was uncanny.
But there was no way Pure Vanilla Cookie could have known what his cat looked like. He never told him. It had to be a strange coincidence.
Jay was so shocked that he didn't react for a second. The black kitten leaned on the box's edge and swiped its little paw at him with obvious interest. Jay could feel the hot tears stinging the corners of his eyes.
"I know you miss your pet in your world. I can't replace her, but hopefully, this will make you feel a little less homesick." Pure Vanilla said gently. The kitten mewed at Jay, its little body purring as loud as it could. Jay let out a shuddering breath, trying to keep himself from crying. He pet the black kitten, and it happily pressed itself into his hand.
All Jay could see was his precious Luna, who he had left behind.
Tears began to fall from Jay's eyes and down his cheeks. He gingerly lifted the kitten out of the box, cradling it gently.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Jay whimpered.
Werewolf Cookie had been apprehensively lingering near the door, resigning to losing Jay's attention. But when he heard Jay sniffling, Werewolf Cookie rushed to comfort him.
Pure Vanilla Cookie had gotten to it first. He put his arm around Jay and soothingly rubbed his shoulders as he cried. Werewolf Cookie's ears drooped, and he frowned. This was supposed to be his day with Jay.
Despite Vanilla having the situation under control, Werewolf Cookie still approached Jay to offer the small bit of comfort he could. But when the little black kitten caught sight of him, its fur stood on end in fright. It hissed at him, making Jay gasp. Werewolf Cookie quickly backed away and let out a quiet whine. He didn't blame the cat for being scared of him. He was a big wolf, after all. But usually, animals tended to like him.
"It's alright, baby. It's alright. I'm here." Jay sniffled. He smoothed the kitten's fur and soothed it. Once calm, the kitten settled against Jay's shoulder and began purring again.
Jay turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie with teary eyes.
"Thank you, Vanilla. Thank you so much..." He sniffled. Vanilla smiled and gently wiped the tears from Jay's cheek with his thumb.
"Anything for you, my dear." He said sweetly. Pure Vanilla Cookie leaned forward and pecked Jay on the lips lovingly. Jay blushed, then looked over to Werewolf Cookie. He beckoned him to come closer.
"Werewolf, come say hi," Jay said. Werewolf Cookie shuffled nervously in place.
"I shouldn't get too close..." He mumbled.
"C'mon, it's ok," Jay insisted. Werewolf Cookie hesitated for a moment before drawing closer slowly. But the moment he got a foot away, the kitten reacted. Its fur bristled in all directions, and its eyes went wide. Jay quickly petted it softly, attempting to calm it down.
"It's ok baby, Werewolf Cookie isn't going to hurt you. He's a friend." He cooed. The black kitten relaxed at Jay's comfort. It gazed at Werewolf Cookie curiously but cautiously. Werewolf Cookie reached out his hand so the cat could sniff him, but before he could even hesitate or pull away, Jay took his hand gently and brought him closer. The cat sniffed Werewolf Cookie's hand tentatively before giving him a lick as an apology. Werewolf Cookie smiled, and his tail began to wag lightly. He scratched the kitten's black fur, and it arched its back into his hand affectionately.
"Have you decided a name for them?" Werewolf Cookie asked.
"Hmm, not yet," Jay mused. Pure Vanilla Cookie wrapped his hands around Jay's waist and pulled him against him, away from Werewolf Cookie. Jay became flustered and chuckled as Vanilla placed a kiss on his cheek. Werewolf Cookie frowned sadly when he saw Jay happily lean into Pure Vanilla's touch.
"I was searching for a gift for you when I saw them in a shop in the Vanilla Kingdom, and I knew that they would be perfect for you, darling. I bought them and immediately rushed back here once I was done with my duties." Vanilla said. "But I had forgotten all the pet necessities. Why don't we go to the pet store and pick them up right away." He suggested cheerfully.
Werewolf Cookie's ears drooped sadly. Had he already lost?
"Sure, we can do that," Jay replied. However, when Pure Vanilla Cookie moved to whisk Jay away from Werewolf Cookie again, Jay pulled out of his hold. "Uh- I mean, we can do that after Werewolf and I's play date is finished." He clarified.
"Oh! Right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted your play date. I got a little carried away in my excitement." Pure Vanilla Cookie apologized. However, despite his apologetic tone, he seemed slightly disappointed.
Werewolf Cookie saw his chance and pounced.
"I could go to the pet store with you." He offered hopefully. Jay turned to Werewolf Cookie in surprise.
"Oh. Are you sure?" He asked. "You don't have to. We can go back and finish our picnic, and I'll go shopping later." Jay said. Werewolf Cookie shook his head.
"I don't mind. I'll be happy... as long as I'm spending time with you." He said softly. Jay blushed at Werewolf Cookie's sweet words. He glanced towards Pure Vanilla Cookie to gauge his reaction.
But there wasn't one. None that Jay could detect, anyway.
"Don't let me keep you any longer, darling. I'll see you after," Pure Vanilla said happily. Jay smiled at Vanilla.
"Ok. Be back soon." He said with a wave.
Jay put the black kitten down and followed Werewolf Cookie out of the room. He glanced back and giggled as he spotted the kitten chasing after and batting at Werewolf Cookie's trailing cloak. Pure Vanilla Cookie quickly scooped up the cat before it could get too far and waved goodbye.

Werewolf Cookie stuck close to Jay's side and held his hand tightly as they walked through the streets to their destination. The kingdom experienced a rapid expansion after Jay's arrival due to an increase in the number of Cookies moving in. It made Werewolf Cookie nervous. Both because he might have to move deeper into the forest to avoid running into other Cookies, and more Cookies meant more competition for Jay's hand.
They reached the pet store, and a bell jingled as they pushed the door open. When they walked inside, Jay held back an excited squeal as his eyes darted around the shop at all the adorable dessert animals in their enclosures.
Once the shop owner Cookie noticed Jay, they eagerly came over to greet them personally.
"Baker, it's an honour to have you here! May I assist you in any way?" Shop owner Cookie said happily. Jay waved their offer away politely.
"No, that's ok. Just looking for some supplies." He replied. The shop owner Cookie nodded.
"Alright, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me." They said kindly. Jay and Werewolf Cookie nodded silently and headed further into the store.
The shop was equipped with plenty of supplies to choose from. But Jay ended up getting distracted by all the dessert animals instead. Cake hounds playfully wrestled in their cage, kittens napped, and all sorts of animals looked curiously at them. Buttercream bunnies, marshmallow hamsters, blueberry birds, and other more exotic pets. 
Coming here was a mistake! 
All the animals were so cute Jay wanted to take them home. It didn't help that they gazed at him with big cute eyes, practically begging him to adopt them.
"Ahh!! Look at these ones, Werewolf!" Jay cooed, pulling Werewolf Cookie by the arm over to a glass pen in the wall where a variety of citrus-flavoured Cake Hound puppies were playing. The puppies noticed them and put their paws on the glass, their little icing-covered tails wagging excitedly.
"They're so cute!! I think I'm gonna cry." Jay squealed. Werewolf Cookie's tail began to wag as he watched Jay gush over the Cake Hounds. It was so adorable.
Werewolf Cookie didn't mind if they were taking extra time to look around instead of buying the supplies Jay needed. Before the day ended, and Jay returned to the castle, he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Even if what they were doing was nothing more than an errand. To Werewolf Cookie, it felt special. This kind of domesticity was something he craved and had always dreamed of sharing with the Baker.
Werewolf Cookie pressed his side against Jay affectionately, but he was entranced with watching the puppies. The Cake Hound puppies yapped at them, and Jay had to pull himself away from the pen with a sad, extended groan.
"Augh! Have to stay on track or else we'll be here all day." He sighed. Jay took one last longing look at the adorable Cake Hounds before leading Werewolf Cookie by the hand down an aisle filled with collars and pet accessories.
"Do you like dogs, Baker?" Werewolf Cookie questioned as they browsed the selection on the shelves. Jay paused and took a moment to think before he answered, which surprised Werewolf Cookie.
"Well... I guess that's complicated." He replied. Werewolf Cookie tilted his head in confusion.
"What do you mean?" He asked. Jay went quiet again to mull over his wording. He picked up a purple kitten collar and examined it before speaking.
"I think dogs are cute, but... in my opinion, the dogs of my world are big, loud, scary. They smell bad, and the texture of their fur is just a bad texture to me!" He said. Werewolf Cookie began to get a little nervous. Though the creatures between the world of Earthbread and the Baker's world were very different, he still hoped that Jay wouldn't see him that way. Because, well, he was a wolf. Werewolf Cookie had spent hours meticulously grooming himself in preparation for his date with Jay. He made sure his fur and hair were extra soft and shiny.
"Oh..." Werewolf Cookie said quietly.
"Honestly, I much prefer the dogs here than to real dogs." Jay went on cheerfully. Werewolf Cookie's heart lifted at Jay's words, and his tail began to wag.
"You do?" He replied hopefully.
"Yeah! I kinda want to adopt one, but..." Jay trailed off. He probably shouldn't be making any huge or permanent commitments if his goal was to get back home. When he found a way back to the real world, he would have to leave everything behind, including his pets. Jay already felt bad enough for accidentally abandoning his cat Luna in his world. He couldn't do that again. But at least the pets he had here would have someone to look after them when he left.
"I could... buy one for you." Werewolf Cookie offered eagerly. Jay looked at Werewolf Cookie in surprise.
"O-Oh! No, Werewolf that's ok. It's... a lot of responsibility, and I think I'll stick with just a single pet for now." Jay declined gently. "You're very sweet, though." He smiled. Werewolf Cookie smiled back, and he nodded.
Jay picked out a periwinkle blue collar decorated with silver moons and a bell. Werewolf Cookie insisted on carrying the heavy box of litter and a bag of kitten food for Jay. After picking up a litter box and some toys, they headed to the register. The store owner had been shadowing them through the store, eagerly hovering around in case Jay needed something.
"Will that be everything today, Baker?" The Store Cookie said cheerfully.
"Yes, thank you," Jay replied politely. He reached for his pouch to pay, but the store owner quickly stopped him.
"No, no, please, it's free for you, Baker." They insisted. Jay blinked wide-eyed in surprise.
"Oh." He said. "That's really nice, but I still want to pay you," Jay said firmly. He had a lot of coins. More than he knew what to do with. Jay never had so much money before, and it was more than he thought he would ever have in his lifetime. It was nice, actually. For once, he didn't have to worry about buying something and then feeling guilty about it afterwards.
Jay placed the amount of coins he owed on the counter before the manager could refuse, plus he happily put in extra as a tip for their kindness. He smiled at them, urging them to take it.
"Thank you, Baker! Do you need any help bringing your things back to the castle? Our employees would be happy to assist you!" The manager asked. Jay looked to Werewolf Cookie for his input.
"Would you like that?" Jay asked. Werewolf Cookie shook his head.
"It's alright. I can handle it myself." He answered quietly. Jay turned back to the store owner and smiled.
"We're good. Thank you for the offer." He said.
The shop owner bagged all their items, and Jay and Werewolf Cookie headed back to the castle. The sun was now starting to set, painting the sky a vibrant shade of orange. With the approaching darkness, the street lamps lit up one by one automatically as they passed by on the Jellystone paths. Jay and Werewolf Cookie made light conversation on their way.
During a lull in the conversation, Werewolf Cookie glanced up at the fading light. Sunset. His time with the Baker was coming to an end. Werewolf Cookie wished that the sun would stay up for just a little longer. All he wanted was a little more time that he could spend with his Baker.
Pure Vanilla Cookie was waiting at the castle gates when they got to the castle. He waved them over.
"There you are!" Pure Vanilla Cookie greeted cheerfully as he saw the pair approaching. "How was your shopping trip? Got everything you need?" He asked. Jay put down the bags and sighed.
"Yup, got everything Toffee needs." He answered.
"Toffee? Oh, is that the name you decided for the kitten?" Pure Vanilla guessed with his usual bright smile.
"Yeah, I thought it up while coming back. It seems fitting." He said. Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded in agreement.
"It's a wonderful name." He remarked warmly. Servants waiting behind Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped forward, gathering the bags from Jay and Werewolf Cookie to bring them inside.
"Thank you! Just put the supplies in my room, please!" Jay called after them.
After the servants disappeared through the main doors, there was a pause between the three of them. Pure Vanilla Cookie glanced at Werewolf Cookie, who was gazing intently at Jay like he wanted to say something. But he was hesitant in Pure Vanilla Cookie's presence.
As Jay's mind wandered to other things and zoned out, he was quickly thrust back to the present by a surfacing thought that made him recall something.
"Oh shoot!" He exclaimed. "We forgot the picnic supplies in the forest. We should probably go get it." Jay said.
"The sun is setting, and the forest can be dangerous at night. I can have a guard pick it up for you, Baker." Pure Vanilla Cookie advised.
"No. I can go and get it." Werewolf Cookie spoke up.
"I was worried about the food spoiling, but if you're going to pick it up then you can take the rest of it home! I made most of it for you anyway, so I hope you enjoy it." Jay smiled brightly.
"I will." Werewolf Cookie said, and a small smile crossed his lips. Any gift from the Baker was precious. Werewolf Cookie would savour every bite of the meal Jay cooked for him.
"Well, I hope you both had a pleasant play date today," Vanilla spoke up. "I do apologize again for interrupting in the middle of it." He said.
"It's... alright." Werewolf Cookie muttered.
"Yeah, I had a great time with you today, Werewolf. I wish it could go on a little longer." Jay admitted sheepishly. Werewolf Cookie began to blush, and his heart jumped into his throat. Jay felt the same as he did.
Jay covered his mouth to hide a playful smile at Werewolf Cookie's tail, beginning to wag excitedly. But this time Werewolf Cookie didn't mind.
"I had a wonderful time with you too, Baker. I feel... less lonely with you here," Werewolf Cookie confessed shyly. Jay placed his hand over his heart as it swelled with warmth at Werewolf Cookie's words. He felt his cheeks heat up even more, and his face became warmer.
"Aww..." Jay cooed softly. Pure Vanilla Cookie slid his arm around Jay's shoulders.
"Come along, Baker. Persimmon Cookie is preparing dinner for us." He prompted cheerfully.
"W-Wait!" Werewolf Cookie interrupted. Pure Vanilla paused from pulling Jay away.
"What is it, Werewolf?" Jay asked curiously. Werewolf Cookie looked flustered, but he kept his eyes on Jay. He opened his arms and waited.
"Can I... have one last thing?" Werewolf Cookie asked quietly. Jay's face softened, and he smiled brightly.
"Aww, of course, Werewolf." He replied sweetly. Pure Vanilla Cookie's hand lingered on Jay's shoulder until the moment he pulled away.
Jay trotted up to Werewolf Cookie and happily slid into his embrace. Werewolf Cookie wrapped his arms tightly around Jay as he buried his face into the crook of his neck. Jay laughed lightly and squeezed him tightly. Werewolf Cookie's body relaxed, and he let himself enjoy the sensation of being held by the Cookie he loved most dearly in the world. His breath caught in his throat slightly as a warm wave of affection ran through him. They parted all too soon. But Werewolf Cookie smiled at Jay.
Werewolf Cookie glanced toward the setting sun. It had touched the horizon, and the inky black was beginning to stain the sky.
"I'll see you later, Werewolf Cookie," Jay said. Werewolf Cookie turned back to Jay. He swallowed dryly, eyes flickering to Jay's lips. It was now or never.
Jay was caught off guard as Werewolf Cookie held his face and suddenly pulled him into a kiss. The kiss was deep and passionate, yet innocent at the same time. It lasted only for a few seconds. Once they broke apart, Jay stared in shock, almost unable to process what had happened.
Before Jay could say anything, Werewolf Cookie, with his face flushed a bright red, took off running back to the woods without a word. Jay held his hand slightly outstretched after Werewolf Cookie. He was left confused and flustered.

Jay poked at his dinner absently as his mind replayed the moment of his and Werewolf Cookie's kiss over and over again. After that, he wasn't sure how he was supposed to go on like everything was normal. Jay had looked to Pure Vanilla for his reaction, expecting him to be upset or even angry, but he didn't seem phased at all by what happened. He had led Jay back inside, chatting about the Vanilla Kingdom, and now they were enjoying dinner together like nothing had happened.
"So, my dear, Choco Lava Cake Cookie has been telling me the schedule has been going well. Are you enjoying your time?" Pure Vanilla asked kindly.
"Yeah, it's been a lot of fun," Jay answered. It wasn't a lie. The past few weeks have been like a dream, but he's become drained. Jay thought he could tough it out, and eventually, he would get used to it. The day with Werewolf Cookie had been a lot of fun, but the daily play dates had begun to stress him out. It was beginning to make Jay feel bad since he shouldn't even be feeling tired when he wasn't even doing anything that difficult. He didn't want to become irritable because of it and accidentally snap at anyone.
But then a thought occurred to Jay. His eyes flit between his meal and Pure Vanilla Cookie, trying to work up the nerve to speak. Vanilla's eyes were closed, as they usually were. His lashes were long and pretty.
Jay glanced at the Vanilla Orchid staff leaning against the table across from him. The eye of the staff stared at him intently. It didn't blink, nor did its gaze move elsewhere even once. The Vanilla Orchid staff seemed to be waiting patiently for Jay to figure out what he wanted to say.
"Vanilla?" Jay spoke up after a moment.
"Yes, my dear?" Pure Vanilla Cookie replied.
"Um, could I ask... I-If it's alright- could the schedule be adjusted just a little?" Jay asked timidly. Pure Vanilla Cookie looked surprised for a moment.
"Of course, Baker. What is it?" He prompted.
"I-I've been having a really great time with the Cookies on the play dates, though it's... a lot. A-And I've been really tired and drained lately. I was just wondering if after every rank I could have at least a week of free time in between to recover. I-If that's alright." Jay requested nervously.
"Of course, it's alright, Baker!" Vanilla replied.
"Really? I know it's a lot- a-and I don't want to disappoint anyone, but I kinda... need it." Jay said awkwardly. Pure Vanilla Cookie gave Jay a soft and sympathetic look.
"You have nothing to worry about, my Baker. All I want is for you to be happy and healthy. If you need time off between schedules, then you are more than welcome to it." He said gently. Jay smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Vanilla." He replied happily.
Jay felt the pressure lift from his shoulders, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. He was happy he could finally get some alone time. This also meant that he could begin researching a way home. Jay had no idea where he was going to start, and the task was daunting, but he couldn't afford to waste any time. He would find a way, no matter what.
But that left the more awkward question he had been stewing on for a while now. Jay continued to eat slowly, thinking hard about how to bring it up. Pure Vanilla noticed the deep, contemplative expression etched into Jay's soft face as he focused on his dinner.
"Is something troubling you, darling?" Pure Vanilla inquired. Jay looked up in surprise. He paused and took a deep breath, steadying his already jittery nerves. Well, this was going to be embarrassing. He could already feel his face heating up.
"Um... Vanilla. Remember how we, uh, made out in the garden a little while ago? Yeah... uh, are we- a- "a thing" now?" Jay questioned bashfully.
God. Only he would be dense enough to not realize that they were dating, despite having kissed, made out, and said "I love you" multiple times.
They had to be. But they never had the chance to discuss it since Pure Vanilla Cookie had left so suddenly after it all happened.
Pure Vanilla's face flushed brightly, and he brought his hands up to cover his mouth shyly, pure joy radiating from him.
"Oh, my goodness! Baker!" He exclaimed. Jay stared wide-eyed at Vanilla in a slight panic from his reaction, afraid he said something wrong. He jolted when Pure Vanilla Cookie jumped to his feet, nearly knocking his chair backwards in his excitement, and rushed around the table to hug Jay tightly. Jay's face flushed red as Pure Vanilla Cookie nuzzled his head into his neck, squeezing him tightly. "Oh, Baker! My dear, sweet Baker!" Vanilla cried happily. Jay was stiff as a board, unsure of what to do. He did not expect this kind of reaction.
Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled away and held Jay's face, eagerly pulling him into a loving kiss. Jay melted into the kiss almost immediately, kissing back with equal fervour. He couldn't help himself.
Pure Vanilla was the one who broke away first. His hands still tenderly holding the sides of Jay's face.
"Baker, you've made me so happy. I get to be yours. We can make our relationship official and start dating right away!" He gushed enthusiastically.
But Pure Vanilla Cookie's expression dropped slightly when he saw the hesitation on Jay's face.
The answer should have felt obvious at this point, and maybe a few weeks ago, his answer would have been an eager "yes." If he wasn't in this bizarre position, he would have agreed to be with Pure Vanilla Cookie in a heartbeat. But being away from Vanilla gave him the time to reflect on his situation. Everything between them had happened so suddenly, and Jay never got a chance to think about it. The whirlwind infatuation of their first meeting had worn off.
Was it right of him to enter a serious and committed relationship when he was going to return to the real world?
A long-distance relationship was one thing, but one where they were separated by two different realities couldn't possibly work. Vanilla was a Cookie, and he was human.
It tore Jay up inside. A chance he could only dream of was being dropped right into his lap, and he wasn't going to pounce on it? He must have lost his mind. But he cared too much about Vanilla to hurt him like that. To get together, only to leave him forever. To be permanently split apart by a screen.
Now he could somewhat understand why the Cookies brought him here. The pain of being separated from someone you loved, and never being able to hold them or be with them would be unbearable.
"Vanilla, I love you so much." Jay began. "But things between us have been moving so fast a-and I don't know if I'm ready for this. I'm sorry..." He said sadly. Vanilla appeared to be saddened. The disappointment was evident on his face, but he nodded in understanding.
"I understand completely, my love. I'll wait as long as you need," He promised softly, bringing Jay's hand to his lips to kiss. Jay couldn't stop his heart from fluttering.
"Oh, Vanilla..." He sighed.
"With so many Cookies competing for your love, I won't give up trying to win your heart." Pure Vanilla assured with a hopeful smile. Jay stared blankly for half a second, convinced he somehow misheard him.
"Wait, what?" He said, bewildered. "What do you mean by 'so many Cookies'?" Jay asked.
"It's true, my dear. A lot of Cookies adore you and want to be with you." Vanilla replied nonchalantly, as if the information was common knowledge.
"WHAT!?" Jay shouted in disbelief.
"And how could they not? You're irresistible, and so cute. Any Cookie would be lucky to have you all to themselves." Pure Vanilla went on, chuckling lightly.
"Whoa, whoa, no way! Y-You have to be exaggerating!" Jay stammered bashfully.
"Not at all, Baker. The competition is fierce." Vanilla said. Jay's mouth hung open in shock, and his face grew redder and redder.
Was that why all the adult Cookies were so touchy-feely with him, and constantly fighting for his attention?! They were all attempting to court him and win his heart? Vanilla had said that the Cookies loved him, but he didn't think he meant it like that.
The longing gazes, the subtle touches, the playful banter - all of which he hadn't noticed until now. It all suddenly made sense.

And is that why Werewolf Cookie had suddenly kissed him?

Oh god. He really was dense!

This made everything he was trying to achieve so much harder. He was already questioning if it was right of him to date a Cookie, and now he discovered that nearly all Cookies were attempting to woo him. If he let his guard down and got into a loving relationship, he might not even want to return to his world.
This was a big dilemma.
Jay hid his red face with his hands in embarrassment. He honestly was still reeling from the fact that so many Cookies were romantically interested in him. It really put his past play dates into a new, strange light.
A small part of him wanted to indulge in this competition, which made him feel worse.
To be adored. To be wanted. Having suitors fight over him. This was something he had never experienced before. It was ridiculous. It was a small selfish thought. But the idea was so deliciously tempting, to say the least.
How the hell was he supposed to resist so many cute guys and get himself home!?
"Despite the competition, whoever you pick as a partner will be blessed to have you as a boyfriend. It's a rule, no Cookies are allowed to meddle in your love life or sabotage other potential suitors." Pure Vanilla Cookie explained.
"Great," Jay muttered. Now he was even more stressed out than before. "Is there... anyway that I can tell them to stop this competition? This is a lot a-and I'm not ready for this," Jay admitted anxiously. Vanilla thought for a moment.
"If you are not ready for a relationship, my Baker, we will respect your wishes. But I can't guarantee that every Cookie will listen." He replied. Jay sighed heavily. Looks like there was no way out of this.
"Ok..." He said. "It's not that I'm not interested in anyone. It's just a little overwhelming to hear so many Cookies like me," Jay admitted sheepishly. He played with his hands out of nervous habit.
Pure Vanilla Cookie's face softened, and he placed his hand on Jay's head, caressing his hair gently.
"That's understandable, Baker." He assured sweetly. "If anyone oversteps your boundaries or makes you uncomfortable, please tell me right away. I will give them a stern talking to." He stated firmly. Jay couldn't help but crack a smile. Seeing someone as soft and gentle as Vanilla put on a tough facade was cute. It made Jay feel a little better.
Pure Vanilla leaned forward and gave Jay a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Please remember, you deserve someone who truly cares for you." He told Jay quietly. "Someone who will do anything for you and never abandon you. You deserve nothing but love and happiness, my Baker." Vanilla said sincerely. Jay swallowed thickly. Tears threatened to gather in his eyes. He quickly cleared his throat and looked away. If he gazed into Vanilla's eyes any longer, he would tear up for sure.
"Y-Yeah..." He managed to choke out. Pure Vanilla Cookie didn't say anymore. He got up and returned to his seat.
After dinner was finished, Persimmon Cookie brought their dessert to the table. In a fancy glass dish sat a thick, decadent cheesecake topped with strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Jay dug into his favourite dessert eagerly. Hoping the rich treat would help make him feel better.
The cheesecake was exquisite. Persimmon Cookie was an amazing chef. Everything they made tasted so good. Jay made sure to thank Persimmon and the other cooks and give them compliments for their delicious dishes. Which Persimmon Cookie always thoroughly revelled in.
The night fell, and Jay was left to his own devices in his room after dinner. Pure Vanilla Cookie would be staying in the kingdom for a few days before he had to depart for the Vanilla Kingdom again. But Jay appreciated him coming all this way just to be with him.
While lying on his stomach on the bed, Jay admired the flower crown Werewolf Cookie had made for him, closely examining the beauty of the blooms. He wanted to keep it, but the flowers would eventually wilt. Jay sat up and hopped off his bed. He would hang the flower crown in a dark closet. It would dry out and retain the pretty colors of the blossoms. That way he could keep this special gift for a long time.
Opening the tall windows to the balcony, Jay went to the railing and leaned on it. The cool night air brushed against his face, offering a small respite. He let out a deep breath, his thoughts a jumble of confusion and longing. He stared up at the night sky. It was full of bright, beautiful stars. Many of which he wasn't familiar with. In the real world, he would be lucky enough to see the North Star or Sirius on a clear night. But here, though the sky was one he wasn't acquainted with, it was so bright, and he could see the speckles of stars that made up the arm of the Milky Way. It was breathtaking.
Gazing out into the moonlit night, Jay couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the situation he found himself in. The competition for his affection, the weight of what he would do to get home, and the uncertainty of his future weighed heavily on his mind. It was a lot to process, but he found a trace of solace in the tranquillity of the night.
That's when he heard it.
A long, lonely howl pierced the calm lull of the night air, echoing through the distant forest. Jay's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't tell for sure, but something deep in him told him it was Werewolf Cookie. Jay listened quietly for a bit. Werewolf Cookie's howls sounded so sad, almost pained. It almost seemed like he was calling out for someone. The longer Jay listened, the more he noticed there was no response to the howls in turn.
How terrible must it be to cry out continuously, only for no one to respond or hear you?
A sudden revelation hit Jay. He paused.
Jay turned around, closed the doors to the balcony, and rushed back to the pure white stone railing. He stared across the kingdom to the woods and waited until another howl sounded. Jay made sure no one was around. He took a deep breath. And he returned the call with one of his own.
There was a moment when he heard nothing back, and Jay immediately felt silly for trying. Until another howl answered him. It was deep, drawn out, and haunting. The sound was enchanting to Jay, and it sent shivers through his dough. But there was something different about this call that wasn't in the previous ones. It had a note of... hopefulness in it.
Or maybe Jay was reading too heavily into it. But still, even if it was just a Cake Wolf howling, it made him feel happy to imagine it was Werewolf Cookie. The two of them called out to each other, communicating without words, to let the other know that they were not alone.

Werewolf Cookie wiped away a stray tear from his eye. Through the gaps in the trees, he could catch a glimpse of the castle and the balcony to the Baker's room.
They were going to be separated until it was Werewolf Cookie's turn again for a date. But he felt hopeful. Jay had answered his call and the lonely ache in his heart eased.

Chapter Text

When Jay first arrived in Earthbread, he had the assumption that his kingdom and only a few select areas featured in the game were the only places in the world and that everything was small and compacted together. Jay had thought that every Cookie lived in his kingdom, so there would be no reason to go outside the small borders he knew, and the Cookies would come to him for their play dates. However, this was not the case. The world of Earthbread extended far beyond his small kingdom. The land went on for miles in all directions. To Jay, it felt like the game, and thus, the world itself had expanded before him. It probably had always been this big, but his view of Earthbread had been limited to the small square of a phone screen. Everything hidden just out of view, and what he was allowed to see was simplified for ease of playing.
A few days before, Jay had taken a luxurious train to Parfaedia for the next week of play dates. Not all Cookies could come to his kingdom due to the distance, so Jay was travelling to meet them. Seeing the world outside his kingdom was very exciting. Earthbread was so big, and Jay wanted to see it all and learn everything he could about it.
When Jay had gotten to Parfaedia, he was given a lavish but cozy two-story townhouse to stay in for his visit. The Cookies of Parfaedia didn't pass up the chance to impress him with their hospitality. The upstairs bedroom had been piled with boxes upon boxes of gifts. Clothing, plush toys, candy, cards, handmade items, and flowers littered the floor. There was so much that Jay couldn't get through them all in one evening. It was very flattering.

The morning of his play date with Almond Cookie, Jay stood in front of a tall mirror, nervously fiddling with his hair and smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothing. He had finished breakfast and was waiting for Almond Cookie to pick him up.
Knowing what he now knew about the competition for his affection, Jay wondered if Almond Cookie, someone who was serious and reserved, would be just as forward as the other Cookies had been with him. It made him a bit nervous, but he tried not to presume too much about Almond Cookie's possible intentions. He didn't seem to be that type of guy anyway.
There was a sudden and loud knocking on the door, causing Jay's heart to race. He quickly straightened himself out one last time before rushing down the stairs to the bottom floor. Jay took a deep breath and swung the door open to find Almond Cookie on the other side. Almond Cookie offered a small smile.
"Good morning, Baker." He greeted.
Oh man, Almond Cookie was so cool and handsome. It was even more apparent in person. But Jay tried not to stare awkwardly. Almond Cookie was tall, with lines of age apparent on his face, and his brown hair streaked with cream was neatly coiffed. 
"Morning, Almond," Jay replied coolly.
"Are you ready?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay nodded excitedly.
"Yep!" He said.
"Then let's head out," Almond said. He courteously offered his arm to Jay, and they linked arms happily. They walked out of the house into the bright sunlight. Almond Cookie led the way down the sidewalk. Jay wasn't sure where they were going or what they would be doing for the day. He couldn't make any solid plans because he had never been to Parfaedia. During this week, Jay would go with the flow with whatever the Cookies wanted to do.
"So, where are we off to?" Jay questioned curiously.
"I thought I'd give you a small tour of Parfaedia." Almond Cookie replied.
"Oh, that sounds cool!" Jay said enthusiastically. His grip around Almond Cookie's arm tightened slightly, and he rested his head briefly against him.
Everything fascinated Jay, from the countless magic shops, bookstores, and even the architecture. The hard almond-tiled roads and cinnamon sprinkle sidewalks were just as interesting to Jay as the many wizard Cookies in the streets. Carts and wagons frequently went by, drawn by biscuit horses clattered across the stones carrying loads of magical ingredients and supplies. A group of children ran past them, laughing and playing. Their voices rang through the air, bringing a pleasant sense of happiness to Jay. He smiled at them and waved cheerfully as they stopped to stare at him in wonder, but Almond Cookie merely kept walking, ignoring everything in favour of the destination ahead.
"Um, Baker, wait!" One young Cookie piped up. Jay stopped and stared curiously as the child's friends pushed them forward. The little Cookie, as cute as a button, had a folded piece of paper tightly clutched in their hands. "I made you a card to welcome you to Parfaedia." They said. Jay crouched down to the young Cookie's level and smiled. 
"You did? Just for me? Well, I'm honoured!" He gasped, placing his hand on his chest in an exaggerated show of delight. Almond Cookie interrupted by clearing his throat abruptly, reminding them of his presence. The young Cookie shrunk back a little from the tall and intimidating detective. Jay turned to Almond Cookie with a reassuring smile.
"Gimme a sec, Almond." He said. Almond Cookie crossed his arms when Jay turned away again, but he couldn't keep a warm smile off his face at the sight of Jay interacting with the children.
The little Cookie shyly handed over the folded piece of paper. Jay smiled widely when he saw the handmade card, a crayon drawing of him and the young Cookie holding hands with the words "Welcome to Parfaedia, Baker!" on the front. Inside were more small doodles of all the cool things to do in the city and the boy's aspirations to be a potion brewer. It was very sweet.
"Do you like it?" The boy asked. 
"Of course! Thank you. You must have worked really hard on it." Jay beamed. The young Cookie nodded happily and giggled as the other children gathered around to look at the card as well. "May I keep it?" Jay asked.
"Yes!" The boy replied enthusiastically. Jay grinned and slipped the card into his shoulder bag.
"Alright, I'm keeping this sweet card nice and safe in my bag so that when I get back home, I can hang it on my wall." He said. The Cookie children looked up at him with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Can I have a hug?" One of the children asked eagerly.
"Me too!" A girl exclaimed.
"Kids, let's not keep the Baker any longer. He has other things to attend to." Almond Cookie reminded gently.
"Pretty please, just one?" The young Cookie girl pleaded. Jay blinked. He glanced at Almond Cookie as if to ask what he should do. Almond Cookie smirked.
"Well, only if the Baker wants to." He replied. Jay stared at the group of Cookie children, each one giving him their best puppy dog eyes. He shrugged a little awkwardly.
Jay wasn't used to spending much time with children. When he went on play dates with the younger Cookies in his kingdom, or rather, when he babysat them, he considered himself lucky that they were always considerate and on their best behaviour around him. But even then, he only had so much energy to keep up with them. The younger Cookies looking up to him and seeing him as a role model confused him. He didn't believe he was something to aspire to. After all, he hadn't done anything worthy of admiration.
But how could he say no to those adorable faces?
"Uh, sure. I guess." He chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. The children quickly rushed into his outstretched arms, nearly knocking him over. As Jay wrapped his arms around the tiny forms of the young Cookies, he could feel Almond Cookie watching him with fondness. He smiled softly as they hugged him tightly, then they let go, happily thanking him and running off to return to their games.

Jay and Almond Cookie returned to their stroll through the lively streets of Parfaedia, the occasional spray of magic sparks hissing from open windows as wizards practiced their spells. As they walked, they chatted lightly, their warm conversation carrying over the sounds of the city. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over everything around them.
"You're good with kids." Almond Cookie commented with a smile. Jay gave him a look of surprise. 
This wasn't the first time someone told him that. He thought kids were adorable, but he was only good at playing with them and getting on their level. Anything beyond that was out of his depth. He was more like a funny uncle that you saw once a year on the holidays than a serious caretaker who knew what they were doing.
"Oh. You think so?" Jay replied.
"Yeah, I do." Almond Cookie nodded. He wanted to ask if Jay ever thought about having children or raising a family, but that felt a little too forward, especially at the start of a first date. He would have to save that question for later. For now, he decided he should focus more on making sure they got on with the tour in a timely fashion.
They continued to walk along the cobblestone sidewalk, and passed an amazing array of delicious food stalls and merchants selling various magical items. Almond Cookie guided Jay away from the magic stalls to a busy road on main street, and they stopped at a tram station.
As they stood at the station, waiting for their ride, Almond Cookie took the opportunity to tell Jay about the various attractions they would be visiting during their tour of Parfaedia.
"First, we'll be heading to the Enchanted Botanical Garden," Almond Cookie began, his voice low and soothing. "I've never been because of work, but I heard it's a nice spot. According to the brochure." He said. Jay giggled a little and smiled widely in excitement.
"That's great! I can't wait to see it." He replied happily. Jay wanted to get some use out of his new journal that he picked up when he was with Cream Puff Cookie. Sketching and recording information on some interesting plants would be a good start to his research on Earthbread.
Almond Cookie nodded, his gaze briefly flickering to the surrounding Cookies. He was keenly aware that the other Cookies waiting for the tram were eavesdropping on their conversation. Parfaedia was a big city, and trouble could brew up anywhere. Any Cookie could hold nefarious intentions when the Baker was here. Almond Cookie had taken the day off, and for the first time in a long time, he was officially off-duty. But that didn't mean he wasn't on guard just in case. Some Cookies just didn't like to follow the rules, he knew this all too well.
Almond Cookie pulled Jay closer to him by the waist, making Jay suddenly blush.
"Stay close to me. Don't want you getting lost." He instructed. Jay nodded bashfully, finding that the sidewalk was very interesting all of a sudden.
Finally, the tram came gliding along the tracks and slid to a halt in front of the tram stop. Jay and Almond Cookie filed onto the car.
"Welcome to Parfaedia, Baker!" The driver greeted. Jay smiled and gave a quick wave.
"Hello." He replied politely. As soon as Jay stepped onto the streetcar, all the passengers currently on board locked their eyes on him. Jay tried not to notice and avoided staring back like a deer in headlights. He picked an empty seat near him and quickly sat down. Almond Cookie filled the seat next to him and got comfortable. Once everyone had boarded, the tram began rolling forward.
Every time Jay glanced around the car, his eyes would immediately lock with another Cookie staring at him, and he would nervously avert his gaze. No matter how long he was in this world, Jay would never get used to being gawked at constantly. So many eyes watching him all the time made him anxious. Jay swallowed nervously and kept his gaze on the world passing by through the front windshield.
Almond Cookie sent a warning glare to the other passengers. All the other Cookies quickly turned their attention elsewhere.
The tram driver announced the next stop, and Almond Cookie reached up to pull the stop request cord. Jay looked up as the streetcar began to slow down, and Almond Cookie got up from his seat.
"This is our stop." Almond Cookie said. The tram made a sudden, sharp stop at the station, and as Jay stood up he stumbled from the force. Almond was quick, he held onto the grab bar and wrapped his arm around Jay's waist to prevent him from falling over. Jay blushed as he was pressed into Almond Cookie's chest.
"You alright?" Almond Cookie asked.
"Y-Yeah. Sorry." Jay apologized instinctively. Almond Cookie could almost feel the wave of envious stares directed towards him.
"Apologies for the sudden stop, folks." The driver spoke up. The doors opened, and Jay and Almond Cookie filed off the tram to the street station. Three Cookies who departed the streetcar after them milled about aimlessly around the station, not so subtly glancing in Jay's direction while he was distracted by the surrounding sights. Almond Cookie frowned.
"Move along. You know the rules." He reminded sharply. The three Cookies looked surprised to be found out so quickly and hastily scurried away. Jay turned curiously at Almond Cookie's comment and watched the other Cookies leave with a puzzled expression.
"What?" He said.
"Nothing." Almond Cookie replied simply with a small smile. "Let's keep going. It's just down the street." He said. Jay smiled back and nodded. Almond Cookie offered his arm once again, and Jay held onto him as they walked.
They turned the corner, and Jay's eyes widened in awe. He had to stop walking as he took in the sight. The Enchanted Botanical Garden stood before them, a magnificent building with multiple glass wings of colorful stained glass greenhouses. As Jay and Almond Cookie approached, Jay couldn't help but be captivated by the centrepiece of the garden — a colossal clear glass pitcher terrarium, the open top brimming with giant vibrant flowers, still beaded with dew from the early morning. The closer they got, Jay could hardly believe his eyes. It was a sight that almost seemed plucked straight from a fairy tale, with gigantic blossoms decorating the outside of the building and perfectly manicured hedges and gardens. But, Jay supposed, it wasn't out of the ordinary for a magical city full of wizards. Sometimes Jay forgot how small he was as a Cookie.
Almond Cookie closely watched Jay's reaction, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips, at the wonder filling his eyes. He slipped his hand into Jay's and gave it a gentle squeeze. Jay finally tore his eyes away from the building to look at Almond Cookie, his dark brown eyes shyly meeting Almond's pale blue ones. Just as quickly, Jay glanced away as his cheeks began to heat up.
"It's beautiful. Heh, but it's probably even better inside." Jay commented with a grin.
"Definitely." Almond Cookie agreed.
"Well, let's go inside then!" Jay prompted cheerfully.
The pair pushed through the front doors, hand in hand, into the main building. The domed ceiling was an array of stained glass shards that sent a rainbow of shimmering colors cascading into the room. Jay tried not to linger and gawk at every little thing that caught his attention, but it was hard when he was seeing almost everything in this world for the first time. The room was circular, with potted plants scattered throughout, and a wall fountain featuring lovely aquatic plants.
Jay and Almond Cookie stride up to the main desk, where a receptionist Cookie waited.
"Welcome to Parfaedia's Enchanted Botanical Garden!" He greeted enthusiastically.
"We would like one couple's day pass, please." Almond Cookie requested. Jay blushed at Almond Cookie's choice of words. It was so cliche, and he didn't want to ask if they "looked like a couple," but it was tempting to see Almond Cookie's reaction. Though Jay didn't want to assume anything and embarrass himself.
"Ah, Baker, there's no fee for you while you're visiting Parfaedia! You can go right in. I hope you enjoy the gardens." Receptionist Cookie said.
"Oh," Jay replied. He really shouldn't be surprised by this anymore. Cookies practically leapt at the chance to give him gifts and free stuff, if the room full of presents in the townhouse were any indication. At some point, it began to feel less like generosity and more like offerings you would give a god to gain their favour. Everything felt like it held an underlying ulterior motive. But perhaps he was just being paranoid.
"Thank you! You're very kind." Jay beamed. All it took was a smile, and he saw the receptionist Cookie nearly melt before him, but he hastily held himself together.
"O-Of course. Please, enjoy your time here!" The receptionist nodded eagerly. Almond Cookie nodded back in reply. He pulled Jay away from the front desk and into the first door to the rainforest conservatory. Inside, the greenhouse mimicked the humidity of the jungles of the Hollyberry Kingdom. Jay smiled widely as he gazed up in wonder at the huge leaves that stretched up to the glass ceiling and filtered the strong sunlight. There were hundreds of species of exotic plants and flowers and tons of berry plants that the Hollyberry Kingdom was known for. The scent of fresh, damp earth hung heavily in the air. The greenhouse echoed with the sweet symphony of birdsong and the gentle babbling of a stream flowing through the room.
"Wow..." Jay whispered. He closed his eyes and raised his hands to his head, amplifying the sound of birdsong to bask in it. "Now, this is impressive." He commented happily. Almond Cookie laughed softly and took Jay's hand in his, leading him along the cobblestone paths, but Jay quickly began to pull Almond Cookie in his excitement. The two continued past all the different plants, reading the plaques for each as they went. Jay took out his journal from his shoulder bag and opened it to a fresh page, as the first few contained magic notes he jotted down when he sat in on a class at the Parfaedia Institute with Cream Puff Cookie. Though he couldn't use them, he still found it interesting to record.
Jay started copying the words on the information signs, along with small sketches of the plant beside its description. Almond Cookie curiously watched Jay dutifully write for a moment.
"You're pretty studious." He commented. Jay looked up in surprise at Almond Cookie.
"Oh, you think so?" He replied quizzically.
"And curious, too," Almond said. Jay blinked and tilted his head slightly, questioning what Almond Cookie meant. "All qualities of a wizard." He went on. Almond stared at Jay intently. As if trying to gauge whether or not he should be suspicious. Jay was slightly taken aback.
"Me? A wizard?" He questioned hesitantly. "Well, I wouldn't call myself studious. Honestly, I only like writing down things that catch my interest." Jay admitted with a laugh. A smile curled at the edges of Almond Cookie's lips. He almost seemed relieved.
"I see." Almond Cookie said.
"Yeah, you have nothing to worry about," Jay reassured.
A comfortable silence fell between the two of them as they strolled through the lush green garden. The gardens were mostly empty except for them and the occasional other Cookie, so it was nice and quiet. Jay was grateful for that.
Jay and Almond Cookie made a lap through the building, visiting all the greenhouses before taking a short break on a bench in the Magical Plant house on the second floor. This indoor garden particularly sparked Jay's interest, and he was eager to begin recording information on all the unique plants.
Almond was content with waiting for Jay to write and didn't mind at all. In fact, he was enjoying every moment of being alone with Jay, and it gave Almond Cookie an excuse to admire him while he wasn't looking. It was cute to see Jay so absorbed in something he enjoyed.
Almond smiled fondly, watching Jay work. After a couple of minutes, Jay realized with a bit of alarm that he should probably be paying attention to Almond Cookie rather than his research. He quickly finished writing down most of what he had noted in his journal, and hurriedly snapped the book shut, tucking it away into his messenger bag carefully. Jay ran his hand through his short hair and looked at Almond Cookie with a bit of embarrassment.
"Sorry... I probably shouldn't be studying right now. This is supposed to be our day together." He apologized awkwardly.
"No need to apologize. As long as you are having a good time, then I'm satisfied." Almond Cookie replied.
"Are you sure? I want you to have a good time, too," Jay mumbled.
"I am happy enough right now," Almond Cookie said. He smiled and placed a hand over Jay's, causing Jay to blush immediately at the small but sweet gesture. Seeing Almond Cookie smiling at him so casually made butterflies flutter around in his stomach, and he unconsciously leaned closer against Almond Cookie's side.
"Well, if you're ok with it." Jay shrugged shyly. Silence fell over them for a moment, and the ambience of the greenhouse became almost overbearing. Jay might as well ask now that he had the chance. If he embarrassed himself, he could bail out by turning it into a joke and tease Almond Cookie lightly.
"By the way, Almond, why did you want to buy a couple's pass instead of two regular passes?" Jay spoke up curiously.
"The brochure said it was a good deal. But I should have known that we would have gotten in for free because of you." He said.
"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense." Jay replied with a small chuckle. Well, he walked right into that one. Jay wasn't surprised by Almond's very characteristically dry response. But he couldn't lie and say he wasn't at least a little disappointed that he didn't get the chance to tease Almond Cookie.
"Why don't we continue the tour?" Almond Cookie suggested. Jay nodded and got up from the bench, following Almond Cookie to the lobby. Almond didn't acknowledge the employee at the desk. But the receptionist Cookie waved goodbye to Jay eagerly as the pair passed by on their way to the exit. Jay gave a friendly wave back.
A few hours had passed since Jay and Almond Cookie entered the Enchanted Botanical Garden, and as they emerged from the captivating greenhouses, they were greeted by a bright blue sky, now dotted with big white clouds. In the distance, over the tall roofs and spires of Parfaedia, more clouds were gathering. Jay could feel it in the air, and the scent on the wind carried the hint of rain.
Jay slipped his arm around Almond Cookie's casually and cuddled up to him as they walked to their next destination. The warmth of Almond Cookie's presence enveloped him, a shield against the cool breeze that rustled through the trees. Jay nestled closer, feeling safe by Almond Cookie's side, even amongst the crowded sidewalk and staring eyes. It felt a little exposing to be holding onto him like this, but it made Jay feel calm.
Jay and Almond Cookie continued down the bustling street, their footsteps joining the hum of activity around them. Almond Cookie took the lead, pointing out shops and landmarks of interest, happy to share the wonders of the city with Jay. Even the smallest of things, ones that Almond Cookie often took for granted, seemed to amaze Jay. It was endearing. Though Almond Cookie didn't understand what was so interesting about plants or architecture, seeing the enthusiasm on Jay's face was more than enough to make Almond Cookie's heart beat a little faster. The air felt lighter and more vibrant. It wasn't just the usual magic, all of Parfaedia seemed more upbeat now that the Baker was here. Any Cookie would confuse all the spontaneous activity for some sort of festival.
After a block or so and around the corner, Jay and Almond Cookie arrived at a grand building that stood tall and proud, like a regal chateau among the busy streets of Parfaedia. Its elegant construction and well-kept courtyard gave it an air of sophistication and charm, resembling more a prestigious college campus than a regular building. It had a large dome in the middle with pretzel windows set into the dark blue roof. Dark green flags emblemed with a metal nib of a quill pen decorated the stone walls.
Jay wondered for a moment if this building was part of the Parfaedia Institute, as it looked familiar, and the air it carried was similar. The realization hit Jay, and he finally clocked it as the Guild Museum that Eclair Cookie ran. Though its name was something different here.
As if reading his mind, Almond Cookie spoke up.
"That's the Parfaedia Institute Museum." He informed.
"Oh wow," Jay said, "let's go inside and look around!" He chirped excitedly. When Jay took a step towards the doors, Almond Cookie pulled him back and didn't budge. Jay raised an eyebrow at Almond's stern expression.
"Uh... do you want to go inside?" He asked.
"We can't. Eclair Cookie works there. Other Cookies aren't allowed to interfere with your play dates, so it's better if we don't go in." Almond Cookie explained. Jay blinked slowly, trying to comprehend Almond Cookie's reasoning.
"Okay... but can't we go in and look around but not talk to Eclair?" He offered hopefully. Jay really wanted to go inside. A museum was the perfect place for his research. Think of all the lore he could learn!
"I'm afraid not, Baker. It's against the rules." Almond Cookie said firmly. Jay pouted slightly.
"Well, okay, I guess." He shrugged. It was a little surreal. This was the first time someone had told him "no" since he got to Earthbread. It wasn't a problem for him, of course. Jay could understand Almond Cookie's thought process, although it was somewhat on the strict side. It looked like he would have to wait until tomorrow to explore the museum on his play date with Eclair Cookie.
"Well, why don't we stop for lunch instead? Are you tired?" Almond Cookie asked.
"A little. And lunch sounds good! I'm getting hungry." Jay replied, bringing up the cheer in his voice to dispel any awkwardness, just in case.
"There's a park nearby. We can have lunch there." Almond Cookie suggested. Jay smiled and latched onto Almond Cookie's arm.
"Sounds good to me." He said. They turned away from the museum and started walking towards the street crossing. Jay could see the park Almond Cookie mentioned from where they were standing. It was only about half a block away. It seemed as pleasant as the museum courtyard.

In the shade of the trees, the cool breeze was noticeable despite the warmth of the sun. Almond Cookie and Jay sat down at a wooden picnic table to relax. They weren't far from a paved trail and a playground with plenty of young Cookies playing. It was a lovely spot. Jay sighed and stretched his limbs. The scent of rain was stronger now, but the sky wasn't any darker than it had been a little while ago. The thought of a cozy cuddle session with Almond Cookie while it drizzled made Jay feel fuzzy inside.
Before Jay's imagination could wander away to more intimate thoughts, Almond Cookie got his attention.
"There's a crepe cart over there." He pointed. Near the playground, a Cookie was making and serving crepes, which a crowd of children were clamouring for. "Do you want one?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay's eyes widened, and he beamed. So that's what that delicious smell was!
"Yes, please!" He said excitedly. Almond Cookie smiled, and he stood from the picnic table.
"Alright. Stay here, and I'll get it for you." He replied. Jay blinked and quickly got up.
"O-Oh, but I don't know the options. I'll come with you." He piped up nervously.
"It's fine. You should rest. We were walking around a lot today." Almond Cookie advised gently. "Just tell me what you want, and I'll get it." He said. Jay's eyes darted around anxiously as his brain struggled to keep up. How was he supposed to make a decision if he didn't know what his options were?
"U-uhh... I-I guess a sweet crepe with fruit. I like a lot of fruits, so I'll go with that." Jay stammered.
"Sure. I'll be right back," Almond Cookie said warmly. As soon as Almond Cookie left, Jay sat down on the bench, resting his chin on the course wooden surface. He closed his eyes with a sigh and his mind began to wander, as it did whenever he had a free moment to think. The sound of laughter and cheerful chatter filtered through the air from the other Cookies around him enjoying the park. For a brief moment, if he kept his eyes closed, he could almost pretend he was back in the real world. The breeze caressed his dark hair, and for a fleeting second, he felt like himself again. Flesh, bones, and blood in all. But the sensation quickly slipped away like a fading memory, making him feel like a stranger in his own body.
Jay opened his eyes slowly, the sunlight blurring his vision into a prismatic smear of blobs of light, and he was back in Earthbread.
Jay had so many thoughts that they all bottlenecked in his head, making him unable to focus on a single idea for long. He shook his head to clear his jumbled thoughts. There wasn't much he could do, and he should enjoy his time with Almond Cookie while it lasted. He couldn't get impatient with his lack of progress yet.
Jay glanced at the crepe cart and saw Almond Cookie returning with a large, delicious-looking handheld crepe. Jay straightened up and put on a cheerful smile. Almond Cookie sat down beside Jay with a soft smile and handed him the dessert. Jay's eyes widened happily, and his mood immediately lifted when he laid eyes on the delectable treat, loaded with sugary goodness.
"Here," Almond Cookie said.
"Whoa, this thing is huge!" Jay exclaimed. The crepe was brimming with slices of juicy mangoes, plump raspberries, creamy custard, feather-light whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and sliced almonds.
Almond Cookie chuckled as Jay wasted no time digging into his crepe with a big, enthusiastic bite. Jay hummed in delight as he chewed slowly, savouring the sweet delicacy before taking another bite.
"Is it good?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay was so busy eating that he didn't notice Almond Cookie inch himself closer, pressing his leg lightly against Jay's own in a silent but restrained show of affection. Jay nodded happily.
"So good~" He mumbled.
"I'm glad." Almond Cookie replied warmly. Jay took another bite, messily getting custard and whipped cream on his face. Almond Cookie stilled for a moment as he fixated on a dollop of cream on Jay's cheek. He had the urge to wipe it off tenderly and give it a taste, but he quickly pushed the thought away.
Jay noticed Almond Cookie staring at him.
"What is it?" He questioned. Almond Cookie glanced away bashfully and grabbed a napkin from the few he had taken from the crepe cart.
"Here." He offered. Jay swiped his tongue over his lips and accepted the napkin with a light laugh. He cleaned his face.
"Thanks," Jay replied. He paused when he saw that Almond Cookie didn't have a crepe of his own. "Where's yours?" He asked.
"Pardon?" Almond Cookie replied.
"Didn't you get a crepe for yourself?" Jay repeated with a puzzled tone.
"No, it's alright. I'll grab a coffee later." Almond Cookie said. Jay pouted at that, and it was his turn to give Almond Cookie a stern look.
"You always say that you don't have time for a proper lunch. I hope you're eating enough, Almond. You need to eat properly, especially in your line of work." He urged. Almond Cookie gave him a slight smirk.
"You sound like Walnut Cookie." He remarked with amusement. Jay froze for a second.
Wait... was Almond Cookie implying that Walnut Cookie was here in this world? But wasn't she exclusive to OvenBreak?
Not knowing how to react to this new information, Jay zoned out for a solid ten seconds, getting completely sucked into his thoughts because of all the implications this one statement brought up, but he managed to snap himself back to reality.
"O-Oh... yeah? Well, you should listen to her." Jay answered weakly with an awkward smile. Almond Cookie sighed as he leaned back and rested his elbow against the edge of the table.
"I haven't had a vacation in a long time." He commented quietly. Almond Cookie's blue eyes slid over to Jay, and he smiled. "But, spending the day with you is worth every minute." He added sincerely. Jay blushed slightly at those words. He averted his gaze from Almond Cookie and instead chose to focus on the stripped wax paper around his half-eaten crepe.
"Honestly... I wish I could take you on a vacation, Almond. You work so hard. You deserve the time to relax." Jay admitted shyly.
"I don't know how that would work with the schedule," Almond Cookie said, "but I would like to go on vacation with you, too." He spoke in a hushed tone as if fearing someone might overhear them. This was the gentlest Jay had ever heard Almond's voice, and it sent shivers down his back. He made the mistake of turning his head back toward Almond Cookie, whose gaze was focused intently on him. Almond Cookie was calm, but there was a quiet restraint hiding behind his eyes. Jay's cheeks reddened further, and he swallowed nervously.
"U-Um... a-anyway, you should at least eat something." Jay said hastily, "Have a bite of my crepe. It's really good!" He offered. Almond Cookie looked surprised for a moment before turning his body to face Jay. He put his hand on Jay's and pulled the crepe closer but, as he was about to take a bite, he realized that this would be an indirect kiss. Almond Cookie got slightly flustered and pushed the treat away.
"Nevermind. I can wait." He muttered. Jay raised a brow in confusion. 
Was... Almond Cookie blushing?
"Aw, c'mon, have a bite. I don't mind at all." Jay urged. Almond Cookie tried to hide his face with his sleeve out of embarrassment. He felt a little ridiculous. A grown Cookie like him worrying over something as childish as an indirect kiss? But he couldn't help himself from getting flustered at the thought.
"It's alright, Baker. I don't need it." Almond Cookie politely declined. Jay frowned and took a bite of his snack.
"Well, if you won't have some of my crepe, then I'm just going to have to treat you to lunch." He retorted playfully.
"You don't have to do that for me, Baker. Please let me handle paying for everything today." Almond Cookie insisted. Jay smiled at that, it seemed right in line with Almond to be gentlemanly about this sort of thing. It was charming. But Jay wasn't going to budge on this one.
"Nope~ You bought me a crepe, so now it's my turn to treat you," Jay replied firmly. "Besides, I can get it for free so you don't have to spend a single coin." He joked.
As they were bantering about lunch and who should be allowed to pay, the sky grew grey and overcast. Neither noticed the sun had disappeared until a cold rush of wind blew through the park, and a drop of rain fell onto Jay's cheek. Jay jumped slightly and wiped his face with his free hand. Almond Cookie paused, and he stared up at the gloomy sky.
"C'mon, let's find a cafe." He said hurriedly. Jay chuckled lightly and took his time getting up and gathering his bag. Playful shrieks sounded from the young Cookies on the playground, as their parents quickly pulled out umbrellas and ushered their young ones under the safe shelter of gazebos and shaded picnic tables. He didn't know why everyone seemed so skittish about the rain, even Almond Cookie seemed nervous. Jay walked over to a trash can and discarded the remaining crepe as Almond Cookie gazed around the park for a nearby cafe. The drops of rain came down harder.
"Quickly, there's a cafe across the street from the park. We should be able to make it if we run." Almond Cookie advised.
"Okay~" Jay replied casually. But instead of running, Jay stopped. He held out his arms and felt the warm splashes of water on his dough as the rain quickly began to pour. He hadn't seen it rain in a while, and for once, he didn't mind getting drenched. It was actually refreshing, and playing in the rain sounded like fun. But Almond Cookie didn't share that view, as his dough paled in horror as he watched Jay stand nonchalantly in the rain while he had sought shelter under a tree.
"Baker!" He shouted in alarm. "Run, quick!" Almond Cookie commanded. Jay stared at Almond Cookie with wide eyes, in a slight panic from his urgent tone. But he had no idea why he was so frantic.
Almond Cookie dashed towards him, grabbing Jay's wrist and yanking him flush against his chest, quickly pulling his big coat over their heads to protect them from the rain.
"What were you thinking!? You could have gotten soggy!" Almond Cookie exclaimed with a worried scowl on his face. Jay stared up at Almond Cookie in shock.
Oh shit. He had completely forgotten that Cookies get soggy and crumble in water. He was a Cookie now. How could he forget something like that?
"I-I'm sorry, Almond, I-" Jay started apologetically.
"Don't apologize." Almond Cookie interrupted with a shake of his head and turned his attention back across the park. "Let's hurry and get you inside." He said.
They rushed across the park as fast as they could with hair dripping wet and clothes clinging tightly to their bodies, Almond Cookie's coat only providing meagre cover from the downpour. Jay pressed himself against Almond Cookie as much as he could and clung to his white dress shirt. The rain seemed to intensify as they ran. Thunder echoed off in the distance. Jay never realized that something as simple as rain could be so dangerous in this world.
Other Cookies caught in the rain like them quickly dove for cover in buildings and under the safety of awnings of shops lining the street. Jay and Almond Cookie ran across the rain-slickened road to the brightly lit sign of a coffee shop, its door open wide with the owner gazing out into the rain and quickly beckoning passerbys inside. As they dashed past a shady alley opening, something at the very back of the alley magnetically drew Jay's attention. But because of the haze of the rain and the split-second glance, he couldn't properly make out what he had seen. If it was anything at all. 
Jay leaned back as much as he could to keep it in sight, but it disappeared out of view. It had vaguely looked like a statue. Jay blinked, wondering if he had imagined it. But he pushed the thought out of his mind for the time being as he had more pressing things to deal with right now.
"Quick, come inside!" The coffee shop Cookie called. The other patrons of the cafe hastily made room for Almond Cookie and Jay as they charged inside. The crowd of Cookies whispered worriedly to each other at the state of their Baker. Jay panted heavily and cringed inwardly at the feeling of the fabric of his clothing sticking to his dough. Almond Cookie shook the water droplets from his coat and promptly guided Jay to an empty booth table, his small form already beginning to shiver. Almond Cookie's face was etched with concern, and his eyes never left Jay's face for even a moment.
"Oh dear, you two got soaked!" The owner exclaimed nervously.
"Get the Baker some towels, will you?" Almond Cookie demanded. The owner nodded firmly.
"Marocchino Cookie, quick, the Baker needs towels!" She said, motioning towards the barista. Marocchino Cookie nodded and disappeared into the backroom of the cafe and quickly emerged with a couple of small tea towels in hand. Almond Cookie frowned at the size of the towels, but he didn't complain. He grabbed one from Marocchino Cookie and turned his attention dutifully back to Jay. Almond Cookie began drying Jay's black hair with the towel silently.
"Almond, are you ok?" Jay asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." Almond Cookie replied calmly.
"You don't look fine. You need to dry off, too." Jay pointed out bluntly. Almond Cookie closed his eyes briefly and sighed deeply, he paused, cupping the side of Jay's face with the tea towel.
"I'm more worried about you. If you were to get hurt on my watch, I-" Almond Cookie started, but Jay quickly cut him off.
"Hey, it's not your fault. I'm the one that was dumb enough to stand around in the rain like an idiot." Jay retorted.
"You're not an idiot." Almond Cookie murmured lowly. He continued to gently dry Jay's hair, his hand slowly and tenderly tracing down to his shoulders, but he refused to meet his gaze. They went silent for a moment. Jay's eyes began to wander down Almond Cookie's slim figure, his face flushing slightly at the sight of Almond's tan dough peeking through the thin white fabric of his wet dress shirt. His holster was tight against his chest, making the dough underneath even more evident.
Jay's breath hitched a little when the warmth of Almond Cookie's palm brushed against his cheek, and his eyes widened when he realized he was staring directly at Almond Cookie's chest. Almond Cookie was no longer drying him off and gazed deeply into Jay's eyes. Jay swallowed nervously and averted his gaze. He wanted so badly to lean into Almond Cookie's touch. But from the corner of his eye, he could see that Marocchino Cookie had not moved from his spot and had been eyeing him the entire time. In fact, every Cookie in the cafe was watching them, and they were not being subtle about it. No one else was talking. The only sound was of distant thunder and rain drumming against the windows. Almond Cookie lowered the damp tea towel, abruptly clearing his throat and turning towards the other Cookies in the cafe.
"Go back to your business. This is none of your concern." He said bluntly. The Cookies awkwardly resumed their conversations, and the rest turned toward the counter to order drinks. Marocchino Cookie remained standing behind Almond Cookie quietly. He turned and gave him a sharp look, but he continued to be polite. Almond Cookie handed the towel back to Marocchino Cookie.
"Thanks for the towels. Could you take our orders, please?" He requested.
"Of course, what can I get for you?" Marocchino replied, readying his notepad.
"A black coffee for me," Almond said. Jay smirked a little.
"Hey, is that all you're having? I thought we agreed I would buy you lunch?" He teased lightly.
"I don't remember agreeing to that." Almond Cookie responded dryly. Jay chuckled and glanced at the menu board hanging above the coffee bar. Marocchino Cookie's eyes slid to Jay, and he smiled.
"And for you, Baker?" He asked.
"Uhmm... I'll have a turkey bacon hoagie, no tomato, and a hot chocolate, please," Jay answered politely.
"Of course." Marocchino Cookie said. As he wrote down their orders, he quickly turned on the charm. "I'll be sure to give your order extra special care, Baker." He winked flirtatiously. Jay blinked.
"Uh... thanks." He muttered sheepishly. There was silence between them again once Marocchino Cookie walked away. Almond Cookie frowned, and he had half a mind to arrest that Cookie for making such a comment when he was on his date with the Baker, but he refrained from getting carried away. It wouldn't reflect well on him if he did something that rash in front of Jay.
Almond Cookie reached across the table and put his hand on Jay's tenderly, feeling the temperature of his dough. He gently massaged his thumb along the top of his hand.
"Are you cold?" He asked worriedly. Jay smiled. He pulled off his still-damp cardigan sweater and rubbed his arms.
"A little. I can't wait for that hot chocolate." He said cheerfully. 
Almond Cookie was about to get up and offer Jay his coat to warm up with when his radio crackled to life, the dispatch on the other end informing him of a crime in progress and requesting his assistance. Jay's eyes widened. He paused, unsure of himself. Would Almond Cookie really leave in the middle of their play date and call into work? Jay didn't want that to happen, but he would sadly accept it if Almond Cookie had to cancel on him. He was always very serious about his job, and Jay didn't want to hold him back, even if he wished that Almond Cookie wouldn't overwork himself.
"Is it important?" He asked somewhat hesitantly.
"I thought I told them not to bother me today. Didn't they get the memo that I'm off-duty?" Almond Cookie grumbled in annoyance. He got up, his chair clattering against the floor suddenly. With a start, Jay caught Almond Cookie's sleeve, fearing that he was about to leave.
"Wait! You can't go out in the rain again like that. You'll get soggy!" Jay blurted out. Almond Cookie stared at Jay, appearing slightly surprised. However, his expression softened and held his gaze with an affectionate intensity. Almond Cookie's hands found Jay's, clasping his hand in a firm yet loving embrace. Jay felt a shiver run down his back as he savoured Almond Cookie's touch - the sensation was warm and tender, causing his heart to race. It was such a simple, innocent gesture. And yet, it felt so incredibly intimate somehow.
The air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries and the strong scent of brewing coffee. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. Despite the light chatter around them, it felt like they were the only two Cookies in the cafe. The chill that seeped in from the window behind Jay was the only thing that reminded him that there was any world outside the cafe and its peaceful ambiance.
"I'm not going anywhere. You're important to me, and I wouldn't leave for anything." Almond Cookie murmured reassuringly. The air between them was suddenly electric, charged with an unspoken longing. Almond Cookie pulled his hands away, and immediately, Jay missed the feeling. With a click, he turned off his radio, silencing the feedback and placed it on his belt. Almond Cookie took off his coat and draped it over Jay's shoulders. Jay felt his face flush hot, and he couldn't help but look away from Almond Cookie's loving gaze bashfully. Almond Cookie sat back in his seat with a warm smile, and Jay shrank slightly into Almond's coat. The inside was warm, comfortable, and dry.
"Th-Thanks," Jay mumbled. "But won't you be cold?" He pointed out.
"I'm alright. Once I get my coffee, it'll pick me up." Almond Cookie replied. Jay nodded absently. His brain had shut down from the small, kind gesture, and he couldn't think straight. The scent of Almond Cookie's coat was comforting. It gave off hints of stale coffee, almonds, old books and cologne. It was almost addicting. Was this what it was like to wear a boyfriend's jacket?
Jay quickly pulled his mind back to the present. He really didn't want to get caught sniffing Almond Cookie's coat when he was right in front of him.
Almond Cookie looked over his shoulder to check the progress of their orders, and as if right on cue, Marocchino Cookie drifted over from behind the counter with their food. With a smile, Marocchino Cookie placed the tray on the table between them.
"Here you are, Baker. I hope you enjoy." He said charmingly.
"Thanks so much," Jay replied politely. Marocchino Cookie smiled and lingered for a few seconds longer than necessary before he was called away back to the register.
"Ahh, finally. I needed a good cup of coffee." Almond Cookie sighed. Jay happily looked over the spread before him, unsure where to start. The hot chocolate was loaded with whipped cream and topped with chocolate shavings and mini marshmallows. Jay eagerly lifted the glass and inhaled the steam rising from the drink. The mug warmed his cold hands. Jay brought the cup to his lips for a tentative sip. The temperature was perfect. Nice and warm but not hot enough to scald his tongue. Jay hummed in delight. The hot chocolate was rich and creamy. He closed his eyes briefly and sighed as the warmth spread throughout his body.
Suddenly, Almond Cookie sputtered and coughed. Jay opened his eyes, confused. When Jay looked at him, Almond Cookie suppressed another cough. His expression was sour enough to curdle milk and he wiped his mouth in disgust. Jay furrowed his brows.
"Almond? Are you ok?" He asked in concern.
"I'm fine. It's my coffee, it's..." Almond Cookie trailed off. He gave his coffee cup a suspicious stare.
"Did they get your order wrong?" Jay said innocently. Almond Cookie paused and frowned.
"Yeah. They got my order wrong." He agreed quietly.
"I'm sure they'll make you a new one," Jay assured him sweetly. Almond Cookie nodded and got up from his seat.
"Be back in a second." He said.
"Ok." Jay chirped, and he went back to enjoying his meal.
Almond Cookie stalked up to the counter, glaring coldly at Marocchino Cookie, who was there waiting for him. He had an irritating, smug smile on his face.
"Can I help you?" Marocchino Cookie asked. Almond Cookie narrowed his eyes at him and carefully placed his drink on the counter. It took all of Almond's willpower not to slam the cup down and accuse him outright.
"You got my order wrong." Almond Cookie replied coolly.
"Oh. I am so sorry for the mix-up! I'll make you a replacement right away." Marocchino Cookie said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. Almond Cookie wasn't fooled. He could easily see through the barista's lies and knew Marocchino Cookie had purposefully poured a load of salt into his coffee. This wasn't an accident. If Almond Cookie wasn't on a date with the Baker right now, he would cuff him for this malicious attempt at sabotage. But, either fortunately or unfortunately, he was off-duty. He would ignore it. For now.
"Good. Because I'll be watching you while you make it." Almond Cookie said, and he crossed his arms over his chest to emphasize his words.
As Almond Cookie had his back turned, two Cookies with umbrellas walked into the coffee shop, the bell above the door jingling as they escaped the cold downpour.
"Baker?" Latte Cookie said. At that voice, Almond Cookie's heart immediately sank.
"Oh, now what?" He grumbled. Almond Cookie turned grimly, and his fears were confirmed. Latte Cookie smiled sweetly at Jay while they chatted about something he couldn't hear, and by her side was the young wizard Cream Puff Cookie. Almond Cookie quickly shifted his focus back to Marocchino Cookie, but by the time he did, the barista was standing in front of him again, placing his coffee on the counter.
"Here you are." Marocchino Cookie said brightly. Almond Cookie stared at him with distrust, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He took his coffee cup and said a quick thank you before turning on his heel to deal with Latte and Cream Puff Cookie. He stalked over to the table, Latte Cookie's expression brightening in greeting when she saw him.
"There you are, Detective. We thought you left our little Baker all alone." She said in amusement. Almond Cookie ignored her pleasantries.
"You shouldn't be here." He told her firmly. Almond Cookie tried his best to keep his tone even and hide how annoyed he felt. What else could go wrong today?
"We just came to the cafe to take a break. When we saw the Baker, I wanted to say hi." Cream Puff Cookie said softly. Almond Cookie sighed impatiently.
"You both know the rules. You can't interfere." He replied sternly.
"Oh, come now, Detective. It's not like we knew you two would be here. There's no harm in a quick chat, right?" Latte Cookie reasoned gently. She turned her attention back to Jay with a smile. "So, Baker, have you put more thought into enrolling at Parfaedia Institute?" Latte Cookie asked. Almond Cookie sighed heavily in defeat and sat down. He took a sip of his coffee to calm his temper. Thankfully, this time, Marocchino Cookie decided not to tamper with his drink. Almond Cookie settled on listening in on the conversation. But he didn't like the thought of Jay becoming a wizard. He was already curious enough as is.
Jay blinked and mulled over his thoughts for a moment.
"I... well..." He mumbled. "I'm still unsure. I don't know if I would be good at it." Jay shrugged halfheartedly.
"Don't say that. You never know until you try! I see the potential for a great wizard in you, Baker." Latte Cookie encouraged.
"I understand how it feels to fail, but don't let it discourage you from pursuing your dreams, Baker! Latte Cookie is a great teacher, and I'd be happy to help you with your studies, too." Cream Puff Cookie said enthusiastically. Jay cracked a small smile at their encouragement. It was flattering that they had so much faith in him. It made him not want to let them down.
But he still wasn't entirely sold. Latte Cookie had asked him the same question when they were on their play date yesterday, and he had initially hesitantly declined the offer. Learning magic could make his goals easier to obtain, but Jay wasn't even sure if he could perform magic at all. Because he was from a world where magic didn't exist, he doubted that he would be able to wield magic on Earthbread.
Without an answer, but not wanting to disappoint Latte Cookie, Jay gave another non-committal shrug and wiggled in his seat goofily. Latte Cookie laughed.
"It's alright if you don't have an answer right now. If you change your mind later you can let me know." She said.
"Wouldn't it be too late for the Baker to enroll in classes? It's still the middle of the school year." Almond Cookie spoke up.
"Normally, yes. But I'm sure the Council would pull some strings to have him enrolled right away." Latte Cookie giggled. "Enrolling the Baker at the Magic Institute would greatly benefit the school. And we would have a good chance at winning the next Triple Cone Cup for the second time in a row!" She proclaimed proudly. Jay blinked.
Were they really staking a future win at the Triple Cone Cup on him joining the Parfaedia Institute when he didn't even have any magic?
But he supposed he didn't need magic to enroll since Prune Juice Cookie was the champion of the Institute. He lacked magical abilities like him and relied on his cunning and creativity for potions in combat. Maybe he could learn a few things from Prune Juice Cookie when their play date came up.
Cream Puff Cookie tapped on Latte Cookie's arm to get her attention. They exchanged a glance, and Latte nodded. Her expression turned mischievous, and she grinned.
"Well, we won't take any more time away from your date." She said cheerfully. Jay blushed lightly and very obviously took a sip from his hot chocolate to avoid commenting.
"Bye, Baker!" Cream Puff Cookie waved happily. Jay waved back and smiled politely. The two wizards sat at a table near the door, a few tables away from Jay and Almond Cookie, and began to chat amongst themselves. Jay turned back to Almond Cookie, and they stared at each other for a moment. 
He felt flustered by the date comment. It had been made clear to him by now that the so-called "play dates" were just the Cookie's attempts to win him over, even though the schedule plan sold to him was supposed to be entirely platonic. He didn't dislike going on dates with Almond Cookie or any of the Cookies he had crushes on. He was having a great time. But he wished the Cookies had been more upfront about their intentions. It would have taken a lot longer for him to figure out because of his obliviousness if Pure Vanilla Cookie hadn't told him. Again, he had been tricked into something he hadn't been fully aware of. It was beginning to feel... very deliberate.
Jay tried to get it off his mind. Maybe being constantly worshipped was getting to his head. It was probably a little conceited to think that every Cookie felt romantically towards him anyway.
A few casual dates here and there while he worked on a plan to get back to the real world wouldn't hurt, would it?
Jay cleared his throat as he pushed the plastic tray towards Almond Cookie.
"Well, here, have some." He said. "You can have the other half of my sandwich." Jay smiled.
"That's alright, Baker, you don't need to." Almond Cookie declined. Jay pouted.
"You need to eat!" He insisted. "I won't take no for an answer this time. And besides, I can't finish the entire thing by myself. Don't want it to go to waste." He grinned. Almond Cookie sighed, but he smiled slightly. Jay was so caring. It was one of the many things he loved about him.
"Alright. I'll have a bite." Almond Cookie replied with a smirk. Jay brightened up as Almond Cookie brought the sandwich to his lips, and did a sort of wiggle dance in his bench seat. Almond Cookie had to hold back a laugh at the cute display and quickly took a bite. The crust was crisp, and the bread was soft and chewy. The combination of three different types of jelly meats was complemented well with the condiments and oils. Overall, it was a good sub sandwich. Almond Cookie was relieved Marocchino Cookie hadn't tampered with Jay's food. Even if Almond Cookie wasn't on duty, he would have all the grounds in the world to arrest him on the spot and lock him away for a long time for doing something that dodgy.
Almond Cookie had finished the entire sandwich half before he realized. He had been so focused on Jay that he didn't notice how hungry he actually was. Jay snickered.
"Yeah, I knew you were hungry." He teased lightly. Almond Cookie chuckled in amusement.
"Yes, indeed I was." He admitted.
They sat by and chatted lightly for a while, enjoying each other's company. It felt nice to relax together without a single worry plaguing their minds. Jay couldn't resist smiling sheepishly at the way Almond Cookie was watching him so fondly while he spoke, like he was the only person in the world. As they talked, Jay couldn't help but wonder what might happen between them. What would it be like to be in a real relationship with Almond Cookie? Or any Cookie for that matter?
Of course, a serious relationship wouldn't be easy, no matter how romantic and idyllic he imagined it could be. Would he be a good boyfriend? Was he even worthy of someone as amazing as Almond Cookie?
As the minutes passed, Almond Cookie keenly noticed Jay becoming slightly dejected. Even as he was paying attention to what he was saying, his replies got shorter, and he seemed to be thinking deeply about something. Almond Cookie made the mistake of glancing at his watch during a pause in the conversation. His smile faded. It was getting late, and his time with the Baker was now drawing to an end. Jay was most likely getting very tired by now considering all the activity they had that day. Not to mention, it was a good idea to get him back as soon as possible to avoid him getting sick.
"I should be getting you back home." Almond Cookie spoke up. Jay immediately seemed disappointed, he glanced out the dark windows. The rain had stopped but because of the overcast skies, it had gotten dark sooner.
"Wow, the time flew by so quickly." Jay commented, a note of sadness in his voice.
"C'mon." Almond Cookie prompted. He slid out of his chair and straightened up. Jay tidied up the trash and piled it onto the plastic tray. He scooted out of the booth and carried it to the garbage bin while Almond Cookie waited at the register. Marocchino Cookie caught his eye as he was pulling out his wallet.
"How much will it be?" Almond Cookie asked.
"Well-" Marocchino began.
"Oh, wait! Hold on!" Jay exclaimed. He raced over, stopping beside Almond Cookie. "I'll pay for everything." Jay insisted.
"But Baker-" Almond Cookie tried to get out, but Jay ignored him. He quickly pulled out his coin purse, which was cutely shaped like a yellow bear jelly, from his shoulder bag.
"How much?" He questioned. Marocchino Cookie's entire mood immediately shifted now that Jay's eyes were on him.
"Oh, for you, Baker, that will be 100 coins!" He replied cheerfully. Jay raised a brow, and he looked up at the menu board. Everything they ordered cost a lot more than a measly 100 coins. But Jay didn't mind the discount. At least he was paying for it, and Marocchino Cookie didn't offer the food for free.
"Ok." Jay agreed with a smile. He handed the shiny gold coins to Marocchino Cookie, their hands brushing together ever so slightly. The barista gulped nervously, his face beginning to blush at the few seconds of contact. Almond Cookie narrowed his eyes at the Cookie behind the counter, and his arm slid around Jay's shoulders protectively.
"Thank you, have a good evening." Marocchino Cookie said in a daze.
"Thanks, you too," Jay replied. Almond Cookie was eager to pull Jay away from the barista. He didn't like the looks he was giving him.

The air had a chill running through it, and the smell of rain was fresh. Huge puddles had formed on the sidewalk in front of the cafe, and the streetlamps illuminated the puddles with an eerie blue glow from the magical blue flames. The wind whipped past them, carrying the strong scent of damp earth and plant life. Jay shivered lightly despite Almond's coat around his shoulders, but he took a deep breath of the cool air.
"Even though rain can kill me now, I still like it." He commented aloud. Almond Cookie raised his brow at him. That only made Jay snicker. Almond Cookie couldn't help but smile. Jay felt a warm hand grip his, pulling him closer to the tall detective.
"I agree. Rain is a lot more pleasant when you're not in it." Almond Cookie replied smugly. Jay laughed and blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Yeah, yeah." He muttered. Almond Cookie squeezed his hand gently and then brought it to his lips to place a gentle kiss on the top of it. Jay blushed. He smiled softly as he gazed into Almond Cookie's blue eyes, his eyes sparkling with affectionate warmth. He returned the gesture and kissed Almond Cookie's hand sweetly.
Almond Cookie wanted nothing else than to kiss him until they couldn't breathe anymore. There was something about Jay that drew Almond Cookie to him and kept him captivated. Every second he spent with him was a moment he wished that could last forever. If things had gone right, Almond Cookie would have brought Jay back to his place and introduced him to Walnut Cookie, as well as spend more time alone with some privacy. But even if other Cookies were watching them at that moment, Almond Cookie quickly stopped caring when he saw the look on Jay's face, the tenderness in his gaze and his eyes only focused on him and no one else.
Almond Cookie could feel his face heating up, and Jay giggled cutely at the blank look on his face. It was the most angelic sound he had ever heard. Jay slid closer to Almond Cookie and wrapped his arm around him, draping the hefty coat over their shoulders. Almond Cookie froze momentarily, unsure how to react. Then, he let go of a breathy chuckle and leaned against Jay.
"Let's go." Almond Cookie said quietly. Jay gave him another smile and nuzzled against his arm, their hands finding each other so naturally. 
They both walked along the pavement in comfortable silence, their bodies pressed together, hands linked tightly. Warm under Almond Cookie's coat, Jay felt so happy. After a date like this, it really felt like they were a couple. Maybe he could get used to this.

Almond Cookie walked Jay up the steps to the stoop. They paused in front of the door of the townhouse. Jay made no attempt to fish the keys from his bag and turned to Almond Cookie with a shy, bashful smile.
"Almond, I had a great time with you today. I-I wish that it could go on a little longer," He admitted. Almond Cookie wholeheartedly felt the same way. He regretted not planning their date more thoroughly and accounting for the rain. But he was relieved Jay wasn't disappointed with their day together, even if Almond Cookie believed it could have been a lot better.
"I'm glad you had a good time. And I'd love to take you out again sometime." Almond Cookie confessed. Jay beamed at the very thought. Butterflies ran amok in his stomach. A second date sounded like heaven.
Oh, why did there have to be such a long gap until the next time he could see Almond Cookie again!?
"I-I'd really like that," Jay replied eagerly.
"If you were to come to Parfaedia to study magic and become a wizard, we'd see each other a lot more. I would have to keep my eye on another new wizard," Almond Cookie said in amusement. Jay used his hand to hide the sly smile forming on his face.
"Oh, I would love to have your eyes on me." He said flirtatiously. Almond Cookie's eyes widened at that remark, and he felt a lump forming in his throat. His heart started beating faster.
Jay bit back an agonizing scream of embarrassment. He really needed to get a grip on himself and stop saying things like that before he said something he truly regretted. Jay quickly cleared his throat to ease the tension.
"U-Um, would you like to come in for a little bit? You should warm up before walking back home." He offered. "I-If you want to." He added awkwardly. Almond Cookie wanted to kiss Jay senseless and wanted to pounce on him right then and there. But he pushed it down and kept his cool. He had to control himself.
"That's alright. I need to head home." Almond Cookie replied. Jay swallowed. Of course, he was a little disappointed. But if Almond Cookie stayed, Jay wasn't even sure what they would do together. He could feel the tension between them. Besides kissing, not a lot could happen, and he already felt embarrassed enough as is for his brain immediately jumping to more lewd scenarios. None of which were remotely possible.
"Ok. Stay safe." Jay responded calmly.
It happened so quickly. Jay closed his eyes, his heart racing with anticipation, eagerly awaiting a kiss. He could feel Almond Cookie's warm breath on his dough as he leaned in closer. With a gentle touch, Almond Cookie planted a soft, tender kiss on his cheek. Jay opened his eyes and met Almond Cookie's cool, blue gaze, causing his heart to skip a beat.
"Good night, Baker." Almond Cookie said, his voice honey-smooth.
"Y-yeah... g'night." Jay managed to mutter out.
"Can I get my coat back?" Almond asked with a knowing smirk. Jay felt his face heat up, and he fumbled with the beige coat around his shoulders.
"Oh, y-yeah! Here." He blurted out nervously. Jay passed it back to Almond Cookie, secretly wishing he could steal it for himself. The tall detective slipped on his long trench coat, completing his signature style. He smiled, waved goodbye, and courteously took his leave.
Even though he didn't want to linger, Jay was in a daze. He watched Almond Cookie until he was out of sight around the corner before shuffling and stumbling inside his temporary home. Flipping the lights on, everything was as he left it from that morning. But it felt like he hadn't set foot in that dining room in ages. Jay hardly noticed the flowery scent permeating the small kitchen and dining area as he was lost, adrift in a dream. Fresh candy flowers arranged from the many gift bouquets he had received sat on the round wooden table.
Jay climbed up the steep steps to the second floor without much thought, the wooden boards creaking gently. When he got into his room, he stared blankly into space while his mind replayed the moment when Almond Cookie kissed his cheek so sweetly. Jay flopped onto his bed face first and laid there for a few minutes, the memory still fresh and vivid in his mind. He groaned and grabbed a pillow, dragging it towards him until he could bury his face in its soft comfort. Jay shrieked as loud as he could into the feather-filled cushion, flailing his limbs wildly and pounding the mattress with his fists in frustration.
How?! How could a kiss on the cheek feel so much more intimate than a kiss on the lips?  
Jay couldn't get it out of his head. Almond Cookie's lips against his dough sent shivers through his body, and he couldn't stop imagining how it would feel to have those lips against his. Jay's face turned red, and he screamed into his pillow again to release the embarrassment building inside him.
God. He was a grown man, yet he was acting like a teenage schoolgirl with a crush. But it wasn't his fault that Almond Cookie was such a gentleman. Or that he was so handsome and cool.
Jay groaned loudly into his fluffy pillow and begrudgingly tore himself away from it. He had to get his mind off Almond Cookie. Crawling to the edge of the bed, he hung off the side and retrieved his journal from his shoulder bag on the floor. Jay would record more information in his journal, which would keep his mind occupied for a while.
Jay quickly changed out of his still slightly damp clothes, and got into comfortable, warm pajamas. He approached the large candy gift basket sitting on an end table, his eyes lighting up with excitement. This was one of the gifts he was most excited about from the Cookies of Parfaedia. There were so many choices it was hard to pick out what to try first. The snack pile also contained a lot of fun, magical candies and treats courtesy of the Parfaedia Magical Institute. Among them were jelly candies that changed to your favourite flavour when you ate them, a hard candy that made you glow for as long as the candy lasted, and one called Spark Rocks. A rock candy, when consumed, created colorful sparks every time you clapped. But he would leave the fun ones for later.
With an armful of goodies, Jay made his way over to the ornate desk. Settling in the comfortable chair, he reached for the box of seasoned pretzel sticks he had chosen and placed it next to his book. With a satisfied smile, he began writing, the crunch of the savoury pretzels keeping him company.
Jay wrote some details of his day down. Walnut Cookie's existence had surprised him. He had not expected to hear about an OvenBreak exclusive Cookie in Kingdom. Jay supposed it was not the first time that either game referenced the other, but that made him wonder if the two were now connected. He did have both installed on his phone before this. If Walnut Cookie was here, did that mean all other OvenBreak exclusive Cookies were now in Kingdom? Did Almond Cookie and others have memories of the events of the other games, or were they simply unaware, and the OvenBreak Cookies just suddenly got dumped into this world?
Jay stared at the questions on the page, tapping the end of his mechanical pencil against his chin in thought. He mulled over possible theories. Maybe the apps had combined because of the Cookies gaining sentience. He had stopped playing OvenBreak in favour of Kingdom when it came out. Did that mean there was a chance that the OvenBreak Cookies had also gained sentience and transferred over to the new app? Was travel between the two apps even possible?
Jay sighed and leaned his chin on his palm. He restlessly played with his pencil. Each theory he had only brought up a hundred more questions. But the Cookies travelling between apps sounded unlikely. If that had been true, they could have gotten to any part of his phone, infecting it with dozens of needy Cookies. From what Jay had gathered so far when the Cookies became self-aware, they were able to manipulate the game in their favour. He had figured out that's why he had so much luck when he played. All the in-game currency and gifts were what he assumed the Cookie's way of giving him presents and making him play more, so he would spend time with them.
The minutes went by as Jay dutifully wrote down his findings and reflections. It was quiet. The only sound was the occasional crinkling of a snack wrapper and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
Jay sat back in his chair when he filled two new pages with notes. He stared blankly at the page until the words began to blur together in front of him, and he was sucked into a daydream. He contemplated if this whole isekai situation was an isolated incident happening only to him or if others were experiencing the same thing.
To mysteriously disappear without a trace... There would have to be media coverage, but no one would ever suspect, or even fathom, that the cause behind it was people being pulled into a different world from their phones.
What were the odds that his game of Cookie Run Kingdom was the only one to reach sentience?
Jay wasn't good at math. But out of the millions of players around the globe, surely he couldn't be the only one. For a moment, it felt nice thinking he wasn't alone in his situation, but it was quickly overtaken by the thought of empty beds, silent apartments, and grieving families.
If there were others like him in this situation, he could imagine some people willingly agreeing to disappearing into the world of Earthbread with no second thoughts. It would be an eternal escape from the terrible world they lived in.
If he had read the Cookie's message and seen their offer to whisk him away to a better place, would he have said yes and clicked that button anyway?
Jay wanted to say that, without a doubt, he would have refused. But if he was totally honest with himself, he would have said yes.
Doubt was beginning to take root in his mind. Why was he trying so hard to get back? The question made him feel guilty, because he knew the answer.
Jay flipped his notebook to a new page and began writing.

Reasons to get back home:

For your family, your dad, who loves you.
For your friends, who miss you.
For your pet, Luna, who needs you.

Jay doodled his pet cat from memory next to the list so he wouldn't forget what and who he was trying to get back to.

Jay sighed and munched slowly on another pretzel stick. He flipped to some previous pages in his notes, trying to refocus his mind, and see if there was any information he could cross reference to get more solid answers. He came across his magic lesson notes from a couple days ago. Tips on spell-casting stances for beginners, redrawn copies of glyphs, and some general safety rules. Cream Puff Cookie had even given him some of her own tips for spellcasting.
Learning magic could benefit him a lot, and if he enrolled at the magic academy, he could have access to more information. Maybe there was a spell, a book, or any kind of knowledge he could get his hands on to help him get back home. The only problem was his lack of magical ability. 
At least... Jay thought he didn't have any magic powers. He never actually bothered to check.
Jay slumped in his chair with a frown. He glanced at the snack gift basket. Though he didn't think anything would happen, he was still curious. 
Oh, what the heck. Might as well give it a shot.
Jay pulled himself out of his chair and rummaged through the stack of snack boxes for a suitable wand. He remembered Cookies often used biscuit sticks for training wands, and luckily he had plenty of those right here. Jay picked out a chocolate-filled cookie straw and pushed open the doors to the small balcony. The night air was cool from the rain. He closed the door behind him, took a deep breath of the crisp air, and gazed at the dark sky. Wispy clouds leftover from the thundershower glided in front of the big, pale moon.
Jay looked down at the cookie stick wand in his hand. He turned to the side and planted his feet firmly on the ground, aiming directly in front of him. Jay paused. He lifted his arm and pointed his wand to the night sky, just in case. If something did happen and he managed to cast a spell, he didn't want to accidentally hurt someone. Jay didn't know any spells. So he would attempt to copy Cream Puff Cookie's Jellius Extremus spell. It seemed simple enough. Plant feet firmly, concentrate, say the incantation, and cast.
Jay closed his eyes and took a deep, steady breath. Focus. Think about what you want to happen. He reeled back and flicked his wand.
"Jellius Extremus!" Jay shouted.
He waited. Nothing happened. Jay wasn't surprised it didn't work, but he gave it another shot to amuse himself.
"Jellius Extremus!" He yelled and flicked his wand dramatically. 
This time something did happen. 
Jay jolted suddenly when a light burst from the end of the biscuit stick. But something was wrong. A ball of light grew from the wand, swirling with stars, sparkles, and jellies. But black, gooey residue prevented the spell from casting. Jay froze up. He didn't think this was supposed to happen, but he had no idea what to do. The spell expanded, ballooning to a size bigger than a basketball. It shook dangerously. Before Jay could react, the sphere burst. A massive explosion blasted Jay back through the glass door into the room behind him, and splashes of black goo were flung in every direction. 
With a powerful surge of energy, the spell was sent screaming into the calm night sky like a firework.

The night was cool after the rain and the streets were calm. Almond Cookie had just arrived at the tram station when the ground suddenly rumbled under his feet. The sound of a distant, explosive bang made Almond Cookie whip around just in time to see a bright light shoot up into the sky. The air crackled with magic as the incantation soared, leaving a trail of luminous sparks in its wake. It exploded when it reached its peak, lighting up the night sky briefly with brilliant colors, hurling star jellies streaking across the sky like falling stars. The jam drained from Almond Cookie's face as he followed the trail of smoke to its source. It had come from where he had just been. The Baker's residence.
"Baker!" Almond Cookie shouted. His legs were already sprinting back the way he came before he could think. Almond Cookie grabbed his radio from his belt.
"We've got a magical incident in progress, I repeat, we've got a magical incident in progress. The Baker may be in danger. I need backup NOW." He barked into his radio. As he dashed through the streets, windows lit up, and Cookies poked their heads out, wondering what the commotion was about. Star jellies fell from the sky, bouncing against the hard almond tiles and popping into smaller clusters of jellies. It would have been a beautiful sight if Almond Cookie wasn't preoccupied with the Baker's safety.
When he reached Jay's residence, there was already a crowd of concerned Cookies gathered around the townhouse.
"What happened? Is the Baker alright!?" One Cookie piped up worriedly.
"I saw a huge explosion!" Another shouted.
"Someone needs to get in there! The Baker might be hurt!" An anxious Cookie shouted.
Almond Cookie rushed up to the group, shoving his way through.
"Everyone out of the way! Magical Emergency Handling! Back away! Now!" He shouted. The crowd quickly parted to let him pass, and he hurried to the front door. Almond Cookie yanked on the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. The frightened Cookies behind him whispered and murmured in worry. Quickly, other officers rolled up to the scene to assist in the investigation and pacify the crowd of onlookers. Almond Cookie rammed his shoulder into the thick wood until the door gave way and busted open. The inside of the house was in disarray and dusty, but no major damage. Almond Cookie ran up the steps to the second floor, swiftly kicking in the door to Jay's room. The inside was torn up badly, with rotten jelly goo clinging to almost every surface.
As soon as Almond entered the room, Jay struggled to stand up, pushing away a broken board covering him and coughing weakly. He staggered before tumbling to the ground.
"Baker!" Almond Cookie said worriedly. He raced to Jay's side, catching him in his arms. Jay's face contorted in pain, and he gazed up at Almond Cookie, seeming confused.
"Almond Cookie?" He questioned in a daze. Almond Cookie could feel the slick wetness of jam on his hands seeping through from cuts on Jay's back, and small pieces of his crispy dough were crumbling from his body. Almond Cookie frowned, his expression twisted by worry. He held Jay tightly, cradling his head close to his chest.
"What happened? Did someone attack you?" He demanded. Jay shook his head, squinting up at him. As if trying to work out what happened himself. A look of guilt came over Jay's face, and he became sheepish. 
Oh boy. He really messed up.
"Um... No one attacked me." Jay answered slowly.
"Then what happened?" Almond Cookie asked sternly. Jay bit his lower lip and averted his gaze slightly, smiling nervously.
"I-I... I was wondering if I had any magical abilities, and I was curious. So... I-I tried to cast a spell..." He confessed awkwardly. Almond Cookie stared at him for a long moment, and an anxious pit formed in Jay's stomach.
Making Almond Cookie worry after their lovely date was the last thing he wanted to do. Almond Cookie was a responsible and diligent detective, whose entire job was to prevent any kind of magical accidents and stop rogue wizards. And yet, he did the dumbest thing possible and acted recklessly, playing around with something he had no business messing with.
"You tried to cast a spell without any magical experience and without a proper wand?" He questioned, his voice rising in frustration. "Do you realize how dangerous that was!? How could you possibly be so careless?! You could have gotten crumbled!" Almond Cookie snapped angrily. Jay's eyes widened fearfully, and he tensed up in Almond Cookie's arms.
"I-I didn't know... I didn't think I could-! I-I'm sorry..." He whimpered. Another detective quickly entered the room before Almond Cookie could continue with his scolding.
"Detective Almond Cookie, what is the situation?" She asked urgently. Almond Cookie sighed heavily and answered without looking up.
"It's a cut-and-dry miscast spell. Get a healer for the Baker, and call in the cleanup team stat." He ordered. The other detective nodded.
"Yes, sir." She said before turning and heading down the stairs, the radio on her belt crackling with police chatter. When they were alone, a heavy silence settled over them. Jay's heart twisted with anxiety. Almond Cookie still cradled him in his arms, but he seemed lost in thought.
"A-Almond, I'm really s-" But before he could finish, Almond Cookie gently set him down on the floor and straightened up.
"Stay here and don't move. A healer will arrive in a few minutes." He said tersely. Without another word, Almond Cookie marched out of the room. Jay sat in shocked silence for a moment. Feeling the hot tears rising in the corners of his eyes, he fought to keep them back. He swallowed thickly and looked around the room, finally registering the destruction he caused. The walls were covered in cracks, and a giant hole was where the balcony used to be. Splinters of roll cake wood, pieces of biscuit and chocolate, and broken glass littered the floor. A cool breeze flowed through the room, making Jay shiver. The dizzying stench of rotten jellies hung in the air.
Jay really messed everything up. And now Almond Cookie probably hated him and wanted nothing to do with him. It felt like something was going to bloom between them, and everything was going great until he decided to try and pull a stupid stunt like this. In one fell swoop, he ruined it. Typical.
Jay felt his shoulders shake. He took deep breaths to try and keep his composure, but his heart clenched painfully, and tears slipped down his face despite his best efforts. The sound of heavy footfalls stomping up the stairs startled Jay, and he quickly wiped the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his tattered pajamas.
Two Cookies, one a nurse and the other a saintly-looking healer, rushed into the room. Their faces were etched with concern, and they knelt next to him, offering comforting smiles.
"Don't worry, Baker. We'll be taking care of you." Nurse Cookie said reassuringly. Jay winced as he took off his shirt so the two Cookies could dress his wounds. Luckily, the damage was not severe, and a quick healing spell was enough to patch him up. Despite that, Nurse Cookie insisted on bandaging Jay up further with some flour as an extra measure. Almond Cookie appeared in the doorway right as the two Cookies were finishing up. Jay nervously avoided his eyes.
"I just finished giving a report. How is the Baker?" Almond Cookie asked.
"I've treated him. The healing spell took care of most of the injuries. Nothing to worry about." Healer Cookie replied.
"And I recommend plenty of rest!" Nurse Cookie added. Jay managed to get to his feet, and he was surprised by how easy it was. He had no pain or aches at all. Healing magic truly was something else.
Almond Cookie nodded to the two medical Cookies, gesturing for them to make their way back down the stairs.
"Alright, thank you." He said. Almond Cookie approached Jay, wordlessly removing his coat and draping it over his shoulders. Jay didn't get a chance to respond before, in one swift motion, Almond Cookie swept him off his feet. Jay yelped.
"A-Almond, w-what are you doing!?" He exclaimed nervously.
"You're coming with me." Almond Cookie replied firmly. Jay stopped squirming against his tight hold, dread filling his stomach. He felt his face pale.
Almond Cookie trotted down the steps into the night. A line of officers were creating a barrier to keep concerned onlookers away from the scene. As they reached the street, the anxiety forced Jay to find his voice.
"A-Are you... a-arresting me?" He whimpered fearfully. Almond Cookie halted in his tracks, finally breaking from his stoic demeanour, looking confused.
"Arrest you?" He questioned. Tears brimming in his eyes, Jay stared up at Almond Cookie, pleading for mercy.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, I-I didn't mean to- I didn't think anything would happen! I'm sorry, Almond, please forgive me!" He begged. Almond Cookie stared at him in shock for a long moment, as if not understanding what he was saying. He blinked.
"Baker, I'm not arresting you." Almond Cookie replied quietly. Jay could feel his heart hammering against his chest.
"Y-You're not?" He questioned meekly.
"The damage, thankfully, was minimal." Almond Cookie informed. He sighed a little. "And seeing that this was clearly an accident, I'm letting you off with a warning." He said. Jay felt the anxiety immediately lift from his shoulders. He let out a shaky breath of relief, burying his face in Almond Cookie's neck and clinging to his shirt. But as Almond Cookie continued walking down the street, away from the townhouse, the tension rose once again in Jay's stomach.
"B-But- if you're not arresting me, then where are you taking me?" Jay piped up.
"I'm taking you home with me." Almond Cookie said. Jay's heart jumped into his throat, and his face flushed.
"W-Wha- What!? B-But-" He tried to stammer, but Almond Cookie interrupted him.
"You can't stay here. It's not safe. It will take most of the night for the cleanup team to finish. You need to rest, so the best option is for you to stay with me tonight." Almond Cookie explained calmly. Jay gulped nervously. He couldn't protest even though he wanted to. He didn't want to be an even bigger burden on Almond Cookie, but there wasn't anywhere else for him to go right now.
"Are you sure?" Jay asked anxiously.
"Yes. If I'm honest, I would have insisted that you stay with me from the beginning." Almond Cookie replied. Jay was quiet.
"Why didn't you?" He questioned.
"I..." Almond Cookie paused, thinking about his next words carefully. "I didn't want to move too fast and make you uncomfortable." He finished quietly. The clicking of Almond Cookie's shoes against the cobblestone street filled the silence between them. Jay looked over the detective's shoulder, seeing the mess he caused. Small star jellies were scattered across the pavement and sidewalk, glowing faintly in the dark. The few Cookies still awake and about at this hour happily collected the free star jellies from the ground.
Did he really do all this?
Though he was glad he didn't cause a lot of damage, Jay still felt terrible for the Cookies who had to clean up his mess.

In a quiet neighbourhood off the main road, the house stood still and dark as they reached the front door. The porch light illuminated the steps, casting long shadows across the front garden. Though Jay shifted nervously in his arms, Almond Cookie didn't make any attempt to put him down as he pulled his keyring from his pocket.
"Walnut Cookie is sleeping. So we have to be quiet." Almond Cookie said. He unlocked the door and nudged it open with his foot before stepping inside. Almond Cookie didn't bother turning on the lights and closed the door quietly behind him. As he was carried through the house, the dim moonlight lit up little pieces of the room, revealing fragments of Almond and Walnut Cookie's lives. A pair of child-sized boots disorderly cast aside at the mudroom step, a small detective's coat and hat neatly hung on a hook. In the living room, a tall cat tree sat by the window, and an empty cardboard box next to it had square holes cut out of it like the panes of glass of a house. "Detective Agency" was scrawled in vibrant marker over the hole that was the door. Jay smiled.
Almond Cookie brought Jay into the master bedroom and switched on a floor lamp, and the warm yellow glow flooded the room. It was a neat, spacious bedroom with a king-sized bed covered with a blue comforter. The walls, painted a light cream, were decorated by a few framed family photographs. The left side of the bed was well-used, and Jay assumed that was where Almond Cookie slept from the presence of the alarm clock and the photo of Walnut Cookie on the bedside table. The bed's right side was neat and unused, lacking any personal belongings or touches. It felt a little lonely.
Almond Cookie set Jay down on the edge of the mattress on the right side. He slipped his large trench coat from around Jay's shoulders and turned away to hang it neatly on a coat rack. Jay glanced around the room somewhat awkwardly.
"Um... where am I sleeping?" He asked hesitantly. Almond Cookie faced Jay again, loosening his tie and pulling it from around his neck.
"You're sleeping with me." He answered nonchalantly. Jay's heart immediately jumped into his throat, and he couldn't stop his face from flushing brightly. He wanted to protest, but he didn't want to offend Almond Cookie and come off as if the idea of sharing a bed with him was repulsive. As pathetic as it sounded, he had never slept in a bed with someone else before and wasn't sure what to expect. He tended to be picky about how he slept.
"You don't have a guest room or anything? I-I don't want to be a bother..." Jay said nervously.
"No. We don't have a guest room." Almond Cookie lied. Jay's face burned red as he struggled for words.
"I could sleep on the couch..." He suggested weakly.
"That's not going to happen." Almond Cookie said firmly. "Baker, I'm not going to make you sleep on the couch. I don't mind sharing my bed with you." He added, his tone softening slightly.
"O-Ok," Jay replied quietly. He didn't know what else to say.
This was fine. Everything was fine. He was an adult, damn it! This was perfectly normal, and he didn't need to get flustered over every little thing. There was nothing weird about two adults sleeping in the same bed.
These thoughts helped calm Jay's racing heart momentarily, but he made the mistake of glancing at Almond Cookie.
Almond Cookie unbuckled his chest holster and sighed softly from the relief being free of it brought. He began slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt, and Jay couldn't help but stare as his slim, lean chest peeked out from the light fabric. Caught in the gold lamplight and the faint glow of the moon through the curtains, Almond Cookie looked stunning. He slipped his shirt off slowly, tossing it in the laundry hamper at the foot of the bed without much thought. Jay quickly averted his gaze to the floor to avoid watching Almond Cookie undress. He seemed completely unconcerned or didn't even notice Jay staring. Was he doing it on purpose?
Almond Cookie crossed to the other side of the room to the closet casually and began rummaging through it. Jay's eyes were glued to the floor. He heard the clinking of a belt being undone and willed his mind not to run wild.
"Here. Put this on." Almond Cookie said. Jay jumped a little when Almond Cookie appeared beside him. He looked up at him, and Almond Cookie was wearing an old white tank top with boxer shorts. He offered one of his dress shirts to him.
"You should throw those ripped pajamas away. You can wear my shirt in the meantime." Almond Cookie suggested. Jay bit his bottom lip nervously as he took the shirt.
"Oh... thanks." He replied nervously. There was a long string of silence between them.
"Aren't you going to put it on?" Almond Cookie pushed.
"I-I can't when you're watching me!" Jay protested bashfully. Almond Cookie raised his brow at him quizzically, but he paused to think.
"I'm assuming this has something to do with customs in your world?" He guessed. Jay stared at him and blinked in surprise.
"I guess you could say that." He muttered.
"Ok. I won't look then." Almond Cookie assured him. He sat on the bed next to Jay and closed his eyes considerately. Almond didn't understand what there was to be embarrassed about, but if it made Jay more comfortable he would go along with it.
Jay hesitated for a moment longer, unsure of what to do. He should do it quickly and get it over with before Almond Cookie decided to open his eyes again. Though Jay was a little concerned that Almond Cookie didn't give him any pants to go with the top.
Jay got off the bed and quickly stripped off his torn clothing, the shabby remains of his pajamas falling to the floor around his feet. He felt bad about ruining them, as they were a gift from the Cookies of Parfaedia, and they had been very comfortable.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay's heart skipped a beat, and his face flushed as he rushed to pull his arms through the sleeves of the oversized button-down shirt.
"N-Not yet." He replied. Jay quickly buttoned up the shirt, twisting around to ensure that it covered him entirely. Despite not being as slim as Almond Cookie, the shirt was still too big on him, and the collar hung low over his chest, even though he had fastened all the buttons. Jay stood in front of Almond Cookie, shyly fiddling with his sleeves. He wanted to say something but was too nervous to speak up. Almond Cookie's eyes were still closed, and he waited patiently.
"Are you finished now?" He questioned after a moment.
"Y-Yeah." Jay nodded. As Almond Cookie opened his eyes slowly, he was greeted by the sight of Jay framed perfectly by the moonlit window, bathed in the gentle light. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jay's full, soft figure, accentuated by the loose shirt nearly hanging off his shoulders. A delicate blush crept onto Almond Cookie's cheeks, his lips parted slightly in awe. It was a beautiful sight - one that he couldn't help but find captivating. As their eyes met, Jay looked away bashfully, the bright blush on his face evident even through the dimness of the room.
With no one else around, Almond Cookie could let his guard down and allow himself to revel in the moment.
"Come here. I want to talk." Almond Cookie invited gently. He patted the spot next to him. Crossing that short distance felt like it took an eternity. Almond Cookie's blue eyes studied Jay intently as he got closer. Jay shuffled over timidly and perched uncomfortably on the edge of the mattress. Almond Cookie smiled warmly. His arm slid around Jay's shoulders and pulled him into his side.
Although Almond Cookie didn't seem angry at him anymore and was being affectionate, Jay couldn't let the guilt of his mistake go. Almond Cookie opened his mouth to say something, but Jay beat him to it.
"Almond, I... I'm really sorry." Jay frowned sadly. Almond Cookie furrowed his brows slightly in confusion.
Tears began to well up in Jay's eyes, but he blinked them back. He knew he was ruining the mood. But after the mess he made, he felt like he didn't deserve such sweet affection from Almond Cookie.
"What are you apologizing for?" He asked.
"I really didn't mean to cast that spell... I didn't know I even had magical abilities! I wanted you to have a nice relaxing day, but all I did was create more work for you." He whimpered.
"So that's what this is about." Almond Cookie replied quietly.
"Magic doesn't exist in my world. T-That's why I didn't think anything would happen. But still, I got curious and messed around despite all your warnings about unsafe magic handling." Jay grumbled bitterly. Almond Cookie shook his head, squeezing Jay's shoulder reassuringly.
"I can't pretend I wasn't angry about your recklessness, but that's only because I was concerned for your safety. I can't help but worry for the Cookies that I love." He explained softly, rubbing his thumb against Jay's shoulder comfortingly. Almond Cookie leaned over and kissed him affectionately on the temple. Jay's stomach flipped at the gesture, and he turned to stare at Almond Cookie in disbelief.
"You... love me?" He questioned slowly. Almond Cookie chuckled softly, gazing back at him tenderly.
"Yes. I do." He whispered. The softness in Almond Cookie's voice caused Jay's heart to soar. "Now come here. I promise I'll take care of everything. It'll take some paperwork, but you don't have to keep apologizing." Almond Cookie said, a note of amusement in his deep voice. Jay hesitantly scooted closer and allowed Almond Cookie to pull him into his lap and wrap his arms around him. Jay closed his eyes as Almond Cookie pressed another kiss to his forehead.
"I'm sorry for raising my voice at you. I shouldn't have done that regardless of how worried I was." Almond Cookie said seriously. Jay nuzzled into his shoulder in response.
"It's ok." He murmured. Jay relaxed in Almond Cookie's arms and closed his eyes. It felt so nice to be held.
They stayed in each other's arms for what felt like hours, basking in the warmth and affection of the other.
"...Thank you, Almond," Jay mumbled quietly into his neck. Almond Cookie hummed a response, stroking Jay's dark hair soothingly.
"We should get some rest." He suggested. Jay nodded. Before he could pull away, Almond Cookie planted a subtle kiss on his neck. He smiled like it didn't happen.
The lights were switched off, and the room was plunged into darkness except for the dim glow of the moon outside filtering through the curtains, creating a gentle blue wash across the room.
Jay felt better knowing that Almond Cookie didn't hate him, but now he had another thing to be anxious about. Sleeping in the same bed together. After he had confessed his feelings to him so casually, the task should have been easy, but Jay was still flustered.
They slipped under the covers silently. The sheets were sleek and soft, rustling lightly as they shifted to find a comfortable position. Jay and Almond maintained a respectful distance and faced away from one another. Nothing was happening, yet Jay's heart was beating out of his chest like crazy.
"Good night, Baker." Almond Cookie said quietly after a moment.
"Night," Jay replied. He swallowed dryly.
This was fine. He could be normal about this.
Jay focused on breathing deeply to calm himself. After a few minutes, his heart rate began to settle, and his mind cleared of the anxieties that plagued him. After a long day and a magical mishap that night, Jay could feel the exhaustion creeping up on him. He shut his eyes, feeling sleep gently beckoning him into its warm embrace. Almond Cookie shifted slightly beside him, but Jay was too sleepy to dwell on it. That was until he felt a hot puff of breath on the back of his neck. Heated lips left a burning kiss on his dough. Jay's eyes snapped open, and he tensed. His mind immediately started up again as Almond Cookie's arm wrapped snuggly around him.
"Baker, are you awake?" Almond Cookie whispered. Jay was so startled that he didn't say anything for a moment.
"Y-Yeah..." He managed to get out.
"There's something I wanted to ask you." Almond Cookie said. He paused, moving closer and pressing his body against Jay's back. Almond Cookie continued to press small kisses along the base of his neck, sending shivers through Jay's dough.
"Um, what is it?" Jay mumbled nervously.
"Have you ever thought about having children?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay's eyes widened, and he paused. That was not a question he expected to hear.
Jay rolled over to face Almond Cookie. He stared into his blue eyes for a moment, his brows knitting together slightly in confusion.
"That's... a really sudden question, Almond." He muttered.
"I know. But it's important to me." Almond Cookie replied seriously. "I love you. I want you to be a part of our family." He went on, his voice softening. Jay frowned as he thought deeply about the question.
"I love you, too. B-But... children - that's a lot of responsibility. I like kids but I don't know if I could ever be a dad." He said uncertainly. Almond Cookie closed the small distance between them and kissed Jay on the lips softly. Jay was stunned. He stared at Almond Cookie through half-lidded eyes when he pulled away, his face barely illuminated in the dark. It was so sweet and loving. All it did was leave him wanting more.
"I think you would make a great dad. I know Walnut Cookie would love you." Almond Cookie replied warmly.
"I don't know if I'm ready for that. Even considering any..." Jay trailed off shyly, his face flushing at the thought. "Any hypothetical children between us. I could never be ready for that. What if I mess up? I don't know if I could handle it." He admitted honestly.
The thought of having children with Almond Cookie, or anyone, for that matter, made him nervous. Jay honestly didn't even know where Cookie children came from. He had his theories, but they certainly weren't made the same way humans made babies.
Almond Cookie ran his hand through Jay's hair, smoothing it back.
"I won't lie. Raising children is difficult. But it's something that you can never be ready for. Even if you think you are, it will always bring surprises and challenges." He answered. "And, of course, you wouldn't be alone. I would be right by your side." Almond Cookie smiled lovingly. Jay blushed profusely.
"You really... want me to be Walnut's second dad?" He questioned sheepishly.
"Yes. There's no one I want more." Almond Cookie replied without hesitation.
The situation was a little overwhelming and moving so quickly. Jay was at a loss for words. 
Almond Cookie moved in closer, kissing Jay suddenly with such passion and heat that he lost all concentration. He couldn't hold back any longer. 
Jay jerked back slightly in surprise and gasped, but Almond quickly captured his lips again. Almond Cookie moved his hands to cup Jay's cheek and tilted his chin up, causing their mouths to move together hungrily. He moaned softly in appreciation. Jay melted against him, wrapping his arms tightly around Almond Cookie. Their limbs tangled together, their bodies begging to be closer. There was a sudden shift, and suddenly, Almond Cookie was on top of him. Jay let out a tiny squeak of surprise as Almond Cookie grabbed his wrists and pinned them above his head.
"A-Almond-!" Jay stammered. Almond Cookie leaned down to eagerly capture his lips once more. The wooden bed frame creaked slightly with their movement. Jay's heart hammered against his chest as they continued kissing. His mind was completely gone, leaving only his desire and passion for the detective straddling him.
Almond Cookie abruptly pulled away, making Jay whine.
"I-I'm sorry. Is this ok?" He asked breathlessly.
"Yes..!" Jay panted. The moment that word left his mouth, Almond Cookie's lips rushed to return to his, stealing away any further thought from Jay's mind. His hands couldn't help but wander from Jay's wrists and down his soft body, feeling his dough underneath the soft cotton of his shirt. Jay melted beneath Almond Cookie's touch. His thoughts were consumed by the feeling of the detective's lips against his. Now that his hands were free, he gripped Almond Cookie's shirt tightly, desperately trying to pull him closer. 
A button came undone, the thin fabric barrier hungrily pulled away from his neck as Almond Cookie kissed down his jaw and sucked a mark onto his neck. Jay squirmed underneath him, biting his lip to prevent himself from making any embarrassing noises.
More buttons fervently unfastened. Soft kisses trailed down his chest.
Jay's hands ran up Almond Cookie's back, feeling his slender figure, pushing his tank top up his torso. He held onto Almond Cookie tightly and sighed as he pressed hot, wet kisses to his chest, taking his time to kiss every inch of him.
The button-down shirt that Almond Cookie had lent Jay ended up tossed on the floor.

Chapter Text

Gentle rays of faint early morning light washed the room in light blue hues. As the sun rose, brightening sunlight filtered through the window. The room was cozy and silent, except for the soft breathing of Almond Cookie and Jay, both slept peacefully, curled up in each other's arms. The city of Parfaedia awoke with the rising sun and began its daily bustle.
Blueberry birds chirped and flew past the windows, singing and chattering their morning melodies. Jay slowly opened his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh, and the first thing he saw was Almond Cookie's sleeping face. The creases of age in his dough smoothed slightly in the calm of sleep, his hair messy and tousled in a way Jay had never seen before. An intimate sight that was for him only.
It felt like a dream come true. Never in his life would Jay have thought he would be able to experience something like this. To be so lucky as to wake up wrapped in another man's arms. Feeling so content and loved. 
Dwelling in this blissful moment, he didn't want to move in fear of it ending too soon. An overwhelming feeling of love welled up in Jay's chest, and he had to hold back tears. It was a new feeling for him, but he couldn't deny that he truly felt like he had been made whole.
Jay breathed in Almond Cookie's comforting scent and nuzzled closer into the nap of his neck. The warmth of his dough on his, the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, and their limbs so tangled together in the haze of slumber Jay didn't know where he ended, and Almond began. He liked it that way.
Almond Cookie began to stir. A quiet groan escaped his lips as they shifted together, untangling limbs and pulling each other into another embrace. Almond Cookie sleepily peppered kisses on his face, making Jay chuckle. He quickly caught Almond Cookie's lips in a sweet morning kiss. They pulled away hesitantly after only one. Almond Cookie's eyes fluttered open, and they were soft and filled with affection. After a moment of bated breath, Almond Cookie smiled tenderly at Jay.
"Good morning, sweetheart." He greeted, his voice deep and husky. Jay's face flushed delicately.
"Morning." He whispered. Almond Cookie gave a sleepy hum and leaned forward. Jay eagerly met him halfway, closing the small distance between their lips. They kissed softly and sensually as if they had all the time in the world. Jay didn't care about anything else he had scheduled that day. All he wanted was to stay with Almond Cookie. 
Jay moaned softly as their kisses gradually grew more passionate and heated, the air between them getting warm enough that it felt like it could ignite a spark. His heart raced. They pulled each other closer, trying to mold their bodies against each other, kissing deeply.
They both jolted and untangled from one another when they were suddenly interrupted by the pitter-patter of little feet. The door creaked open, and Jay and Almond Cookie quickly sat up, slightly flustered. 
Still in pajamas, peeking inside was a young Cookie. Her light orange-brown hair, usually worn in a ponytail, fell freely past her small shoulders.
Jay nervously covered himself with the blanket, and it took him a second to recognize that it was Walnut Cookie. The young girl's expression shifted from curiosity to excitement as she dashed into the room.
"The Bakers here! I knew it!" Walnut Cookie exclaimed proudly. She clambered onto the bed by Almond Cookie's feet, her brown eyes sparkling in wonder. "Baker, it's so amazing to meet you! I knew something was up when my Dad came home late last night." Walnut Cookie said excitedly. Jay awkwardly offered a wave in greeting.
"U-Uh, nice to meet you too, Walnut Cookie." He replied. The young girl's eyes got even wider.
"You know my name already?" Walnut Cookie questioned. 
"Of course. Your dad talked a lot about you yesterday." He teased lightly. Jay smiled and nudged Almond Cookie with his elbow gently.
"It wasn't that much." Almond Cookie said quietly. Walnut Cookie giggled. She shuffled on her knees, giving her father a quick hug before looking between him and Jay.
"Hey, Dad, is the Baker staying with us today? Do you think I can take him to school with me?" Walnut Cookie asked. Jay silently snickered at the wording. She made it sound like he was some sort of pet or something for show and tell. It was both amusing and adorable.
"Sorry, Walnut Cookie, but the Baker has another play date today and can't stay." Almond Cookie replied. The girl's little face scrunched up in disappointment. Walnut Cookie had been looking forward to spending time with the Baker when Almond Cookie told her that he was coming to stay the week in Parfaedia.
"But-! I wanna spend time with the Baker, too!" Walnut Cookie argued a hint of desperation in her voice.
"Maybe next time when I come to visit, we can plan something so we can all spend the day together." Jay chimed in. He looked to Almond Cookie to gauge his approval, and his heart swelled with happiness when Almond Cookie smiled back at him tenderly.
"I think that's a good idea." Almond Cookie agreed. However, this bargain didn't make Walnut Cookie any happier. She frowned and flipped upside down while she lay on her father's legs, staring at Almond Cookie with arms crossed.
"But that will take forever! It isn't fair." Walnut Cookie grumbled. Almond Cookie pet Walnut Cookie's hair soothingly.
"I know. But the Baker is very busy. He can't be everywhere at once and can't spend time with every single Cookie." He reasoned gently.
At this comment, Jay began to wonder about the other OvenBreak exclusive Cookies. If they were all here somewhere in this world, he was surprised that he didn't have any play dates with them. But considering how many Cookies were in that game, maybe he was lucky they weren't on the schedule. All those extra Cookies would probably add a whole year on top of his current routine. But a part of Jay couldn't help but be a little curious about the possible Cookies out there that he hadn't met yet.   
Walnut Cookie sighed, but she couldn't argue any further. 
"Fine..." She muttered. Almond Cookie chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Alright, now go get dressed. I'll be out in a minute to help with your hair." He instructed. Walnut Cookie sat up and scrambled off the bed.
"Okay!" She called as she went running through the house, already back to being full of energy. Jay laughed to himself at the sudden switch.
Being a parent looked like it was a lot of work, but from small moments like this, it seemed worth it.
Almond Cookie stretched and got out of bed casually, heading to his closet to get dressed for the day. Despite the intimate night they shared, Jay instinctively looked away from Almond's "naked" body, even though he knew there was nothing down there to see. 
A month and a half had passed, and the disconnect between his Cookie body and his mind still seemed apparent.
The night they spent together had been heavenly. The soft, heated touches they exchanged as they explored each other, and kissing until they were flushed and breathless. To be so intimate with Almond Cookie, completely vulnerable, but without the expectation of anything sexual. It was amazing. However, something strange occurred during the night. When Almond Cookie kissed him in certain areas, Jay felt the same sensation as if he were in a human body, which startled him, causing a few awkward moments. He knew there was nothing there, yet he still felt a ghostly sensation as if something should be there. It was like a phantom limb. The memory of what used to be there. Even though Jay couldn't understand why, it hadn't been the time to ponder the effects of being transformed into a Cookie. He had only wanted to enjoy his night with Almond Cookie.
While Almond Cookie had his back turned, Jay slipped out from under the covers and swiped the discarded dress shirt from the floor. Some old habits and instincts still remained hard-wired into his brain, apparently. Because being seen without any clothes on, even in front of Almond Cookie, still made him uncomfortable.
When Jay had first come to Earthbread, the moment he had been given some privacy, his new body was one of the first things he checked out of curiosity. He needed to know whether he was truly a Cookie or not. 
Jay hadn't known what to expect, but he was pleasantly surprised to be smooth and flat all over. No longer human. No blemishes or scars, but perfect golden dough. It was strange to look into a mirror and see a face that wasn't his own staring back at him, but a part of him was almost glad. 
He was a lot cuter as a Cookie.
Jay stood in front of the tall, full-length mirror and buttoned up the shirt as high as it would go to try and hide the now very prominent hickeys covering his neck and shoulders. But because of how oversized the shirt was on him, it didn't cover much. Jay didn't have anything else to cover up with as his old pair of pajamas got shredded last night, and he wondered what he was going to wear for his play date with Eclair Cookie. His cheeks flushed slightly as his hand slowly travelled up, and lightly glided over the love bites. They were red, still sensitive. During the heat and passion of the moment, Jay remembered he had given Almond Cookie a few hickeys of his own. He smiled fondly at the thought.
Warm arms encircled him from behind, and a soft kiss was pressed against his cheek, followed by another on his neck. Jay shivered as Almond Cookie sighed contently.
"Are you ready to go?" He mumbled.
"I don't have anything to wear," Jay replied with a chuckle.
"You can borrow some of my clothes." Almond Cookie said. The closeness and warmth of Almond Cookie's body was intoxicating, and Jay wanted nothing more than to stay in that moment for an eternity. Almond Cookie pressed closer and nuzzled Jay's neck, inhaling deeply. "I don't mind. I like seeing you in my clothes." He admitted. Jay blushed.
"Will any of it actually fit me?" He asked. Almond Cookie kissed his cheek sweetly.
"We'll make it work." He answered. Jay chuckled softly. Almond Cookie pulled away and went back to the closet. He rooted around for a moment, grabbing a few articles of clothing and draping them over his arm. Almond Cookie selected a clean white dress shirt, brown corduroy pants, and suspenders from his wardrobe. The outfit was simple but classy. 
Almond Cookie offered the clothes, and Jay gladly took the garments. It was a little nerve-wracking to strip off the button-up in front of Almond Cookie. He slipped his new clothes on quickly, his eyes nervously darting to Almond Cookie every few seconds as he watched with an air of smugness. He didn't want to make things awkward by asking Almond Cookie to close his eyes while he dressed. It was quicker this way. But still embarrassing. 
As he tugged the trousers up and tightened the suspenders, he glanced back to his reflection in the mirror.
Not bad at all.
"Not too shy now, hmm?" Almond Cookie teased lightly with a smirk. Jay blushed deeply. He playfully pushed Almond Cookie.
"Stop, you're going to make me self-conscious again." Jay pouted lightheartedly. Almond Cookie wrapped his arms around him and lightly kissed the back of his neck.
"Don't worry, I'm just teasing you, sweetie. You look very handsome." Almond Cookie assured him warmly. Jay hummed in response, leaning back into the comforting arms that held him.
Jay had been most worried about the pants. Because of Almond Cookie's slim figure and long legs, he was unsure his trousers would fit his wider hips. The waist was snug, and the length of the pant leg fabric was bunched up at his feet, but it fit.
Almond Cookie released Jay while he rolled up the extra fabric and cuffed the bottom of the pants so he could walk comfortably without tripping. It didn't take long for Almond Cookie to be on him once again, eagerly kissing his face. Jay laughed and revelled in the warmth of his affection.
"Almond! C'mon, give me a second at least." He squeaked happily. Almond Cookie kissed Jay on the lips lovingly before pulling away. Jay could tell that Almond Cookie was holding himself back from doing more.
"I love you, Baker." Almond Cookie said warmly. Butterflies danced in his stomach at Almond Cookie's handsome smile. He rarely smiled, but when he did, it warmed Jay's heart completely - especially if it was at him. And that was all Jay ever wanted. To feel loved.
Almond Cookie's hands wandered down his sides to rest gently on his hips. Jay hugged Almond Cookie tightly, burying his face in his chest.
"I love you too. I love you so, so much." He murmured.
Almond Cookie knew if he didn't force himself to let Jay go now, he wouldn't let him leave. He had to report to work, Walnut Cookie had school, and Jay had another play date to attend to. Almond Cookie didn't want any of them to be late. So, with barely restrained reluctance, he released Jay.
Jay sighed sadly as Almond Cookie walked away towards the door, and followed curiously. He, too, didn't want to leave Almond Cookie so soon.
The sun rose into the sky over Parfaedia, replacing the pink and orange hues with a clear pale blue. The house was bustling with activity as Almond Cookie ascended the stairs to the second floor to tend to his daughter. Jay, not knowing what to do and too polite to make himself totally at home, wandered to the kitchen. He pulled back the curtains and looked out at the world, basking in the bright sunshine. The morning paper pushed through the mail slot tumbled to the floor. Jay picked up the paper and returned to the kitchen, leaning against the counter as he unfolded it and scanned the contents. He immediately grimaced at the front page headline.
"MAGICAL MISHAP, BAKER UNHARMED."
"Under the protection of Almond Cookie, head Detective of the Magical Emergency Handling department, we couldn't reach the Baker for a comment."
Great. The newspaper was reporting on the huge mess that he had created.
Jay quickly refolded the newspaper and tossed it on the table. He wandered and stood at the bottom of the stairs, gazing up at the landing on the second floor, wondering where Almond and Walnut Cookie were. After waiting for a brief moment, Jay crept up the stairs nervously as if he were entering a place where he wasn't supposed to be. The hall of the second floor was narrow and dim with a short, plush carpet. Light poured out from the open bathroom door, and Jay could hear Walnut Cookie chatting away.
"...just like something out of a fairy tale!" She giggled.
"Thankfully, it wasn't dangerous to any Cookie. It was quite a sight to see." Almond Cookie replied. Jay was curious. But he didn't want to intrude on the conversation.
Although, he did need to brush his hair.
Jay peeked into the bathroom, and Almond Cookie was brushing Walnut Cookie's long hair gently, styling it into her usual side ponytail. They both turned to him when they noticed Jay standing at the door.
"Baker look, Almond Cookie is doing my hair!" She informed happily.
"Head still." Almond Cookie reminded her and turned her head to face forward while he brushed it.
"Sorry to interrupt, I-I was just wondering if I could use your bathroom." He requested politely.
"Of course, Baker." Almond Cookie replied. Jay nodded gratefully before slipping into the room and standing beside Almond. His hair was a mess, with cowlicks sticking up in every direction. Jay stood in front of the mirror, running his hand through his unruly black hair with a frown, trying his best to smooth it. Beside him, Almond Cookie reached for a hair tie and expertly tied Walnut Cookie's hair up, her ponytail resembling the distinctive shape of a walnut.
"Thanks, Dad!" Walnut Cookie said. She hopped off her footstool and raced down the stairs to the kitchen. Almond Cookie pushed the stool out of the way with his foot and began working on his own messy hair. He used a comb and hair wax to style his brown hair in his usual fashion.
Jay's hair was short, which made it easy to manage without much fuss. A little treated water and a couple brushes was all it needed. As Jay looked himself over in the mirror, he instinctively reached for a toothbrush sitting in a cup on the counter but quickly stopped himself. He hadn't had time to grab his toiletry bag before Almond Cookie whisked him away to his place, so he was going to have to skip brushing his teeth.
Almond Cookie plucked his toothbrush from the holder and offered it to Jay.
"Here, you can use mine." He said. Jay stared at him in confusion for a second before making a sour face.
"What? That's your toothbrush. I can't use that." He protested. Almond Cookie only smirked.
"Well, you didn't seem to have a problem when my tongue was in your mouth last night." He said in a low, husky voice. Jay turned beet red.
"Almond!" He whispered bashfully. Jay nervously checked over his shoulder at the staircase before turning back to Almond Cookie, as though there were Cookies nearby that could overhear them. Almond Cookie chuckled.
"Taking good care of your teeth is important. I really don't mind if you use it this once." He went on. Jay avoided his eyes bashfully with a pout.
"I-It's ok. I'll just skip it for today." He replied hastily.
Before Almond Cookie could insist any further, Jay turned on his heel and escaped the bathroom. He hurried down the stairs to the kitchen, where Walnut Cookie was sitting at the dining table reading the morning paper and munching on a piece of toast.
While most kids would skip straight to the comics, Walnut Cookie thoroughly read through all the stories, always on the lookout for new mysteries waiting to be solved. Jay found it incredibly endearing. When he played OvenBreak, he always thought Walnut Cookie was the cutest thing.
Walnut Cookie glanced up when Jay approached her and waved a cheery greeting at him.
"Morning, Baker!" She said. Jay pulled out a chair from the table and sat down.
"Morning." He replied with a smile. Walnut Cookie folded up the newspaper and showed him the cover page.
It was a distant photo of the night sky lit up by a vibrant aurora and star jellies streaking across the sky. Some of the photos depicted the cleanup crews gathering the fallen star jellies, individuals scraping away the decaying jelly goo from the street, and an image of the outside of the damaged townhouse.
Jay had witnessed the aftermath of the star jellies scattered on the streets, but he had not seen the light show the spell caused. How did he manage something like that?
"Baker, did you really do this?" She asked with wonder in her eyes. Jay nodded with an embarrassed grin.
"Uh... yeah. But it was an accident." He laughed awkwardly. Walnut Cookie placed the paper on the table and stood up in excitement, leaning forward in her chair.
"I caught some of it from my window last night!" She said, "It was really pretty," Walnut Cookie coughed as she remembered her role as a detective, her face turning serious. "Even if you did break the law." She added. Jay laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah... don't be like me, kid. Always listen to your dad." He advised lightly. 
Jay could tell from the curious look in Walnut Cookie's eyes that she was eager to ask more questions, but he didn't want to be lectured by an elementary schooler on something he already regretted. And Almond Cookie gave him enough of a thorough scolding. That was more than he could take. 
Jay quickly changed the subject.
"So, is that all you're eating?" He nodded to the toast on Walnut Cookie's plate. The young girl looked at her plate in surprise and nodded.
"Dad usually doesn't have enough time to cook a lot because work keeps him really busy." Walnut Cookie explained. She leaned forward like she was sharing a secret with him. "And he's not the best cook either." She giggled.
"Hey, how's that fair? I've been getting better." Almond Cookie interjected playfully. Almond Cookie fiddled with his tie. Jay turned his attention to the detective who had just come down the stairs, looking sharp and well-groomed.
"Well, I'm a pretty good cook, if I say so myself. I don't mind making breakfast for you." He offered.
Walnut Cookie's eyes went wide, her hazel brown eyes shining. She quickly jumped up from her seat, her cheeks flushed with joy.
"Really?" Walnut Cookie gasped, "You're the best, Baker! Can I help, too?" She asked excitedly.
"Of course, I'm going to need it. Since you know this kitchen better than I do." Jay smiled. 
Jay got up from his chair, and the two headed into the kitchen to decide what to make for breakfast. Almond Cookie could barely get in a word of protest.
"Hold on, Baker. You shouldn't be cooking for us. I'll take care of it." He insisted, and Jay shook his head as he opened the fridge.
"It's alright, Almond. Just relax and let me take care of it today, ok?" He replied as he peered inside to asses all the ingredients they had. "Besides, it's the least I can do to thank you for letting me stay here after last night's accident." Jay went on. Almond Cookie sighed, but he let it go. He skirted past Walnut Cookie retrieving her foot stool to get to the coffee machine.
Jay turned his attention to the young Cookie.
"So, what would you like for breakfast?" He asked Walnut Cookie. She stood thoughtfully in front of the open fridge before pulling out a plastic container.
"Oh, we have leftover fried rice." Walnut Cookie said. "Let's make omurice!" She suggested happily.
"Sounds good to me!" Jay agreed with a grin. He grabbed the carton of eggs and the jug of milk as Walnut Cookie brought the container of fried rice over to the counter.
"Oh wait, you'll need this Baker!" Walnut Cookie spoke up suddenly. She scampered to a pink apron hanging from a hook on the wall, and pulled it down, offering it to Jay. "This is Dad's apron, but you can wear it." Walnut Cookie smiled.
"Thank you. Aw, it's so cute!" Jay chirped. It was a simple pink apron with a heart pocket on the front. Jay could only imagine how cute Almond Cookie would look while wearing it. He shot him a silent, teasing look.
Almond Cookie avoided Jay's eyes, hiding his flushed cheeks by busying himself with pouring a mug of black coffee. He sat down at the dining table with his cup of coffee and opened the morning paper.
The kitchen was filled with the rich fragrance of freshly brewed coffee as the buttery skillet sizzled and crackled. Another pan was prepared to warm the chicken fried rice and dress it with soy sauce and ketchup.
Walnut Cookie stood on the tips of her toes to see above the countertop.
"Can I help crack the eggs?" She asked.
"Sure," Jay replied. He cracked one into the bowl, the pale yellow yolk wobbling delicately. Jay handed the second egg to Walnut Cookie and moved aside to give her more room. He kept his hand securely on the bowl just in case it fell off the counter. Walnut Cookie gently tapped the egg against the rim of the glass bowl until the shell cracked. She pulled the two halves apart, and the yolk and egg white fell into the bowl.
"Good job!" Jay praised. Walnut Cookie's eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached for the salt and pepper shakers. She added a hearty dash of each over the eggs. Jay, standing next to her, swiftly cracked a third egg into the bowl and began beating it briskly.
"Can you stir the fried rice, please?" Jay requested.
"Sure!" Walnut Cookie replied. She quickly nudged her stool in front of the stove and carefully stirred the rice mixture with a wooden spoon, keeping her eyes fixed on the pan as she tried not to spill any. 
While Jay was cooking, he glanced over at Almond Cookie and caught him staring at him from behind the newspaper. Almond Cookie blushed slightly when their eyes met, and he quickly went back to reading. Jay smiled and quietly snickered to himself.
Jay poured the beaten egg into the hot frying pan. The serene morning atmosphere was filled with the soothing sound of eggs sizzling in the skillet. He reached over and twisted the knob on the burner, lowing the heat for the rice to prevent it from burning.
"The first omurice is almost done," Jay announced. "Walnut Cookie, could you please make some toast for your Dad and me?" he asked. Walnut Cookie looked up at him with a twinkle of determination in her eyes.
"I'm on it!" She replied. 
"Thank you." Jay smiled.
Walnut Cookie hopped off her footstool and walked over to the end of the counter where the toaster was. With a clatter, she placed the footstool down and opened the bread box. She then put two pieces of bread into the toaster.
Jay scooped a hearty helping of fried rice onto the cooked omelette. Due to his fear of breaking it and ruining the omurice, he couldn't fold it like a burrito like you were supposed to. Instead, Jay folded it in half and transferred the hot omurice to a plate.
Jay was pretty proud of his work - a fluffy, perfectly golden omelette enveloping a mountain of ketchup-flavoured rice.
While the toaster popped and Walnut Cookie buttered the warm toast, Jay brought the bottle of ketchup and omurice to Almond Cookie. Jay set the plate in front of Almond Cookie, and before he could utter a thank you, Jay quickly kissed his cheek sweetly.
"I hope you like it." He whispered. "Honey~," Jay said with a flirtatious wink. Almond Cookie's cheeks turned bright red, and his jaw nearly dropped. Jay triumphantly skipped back into the kitchen with a snicker. That was a little payback for flustering him in the bathroom earlier.
Almond Cookie wanted so badly to propose to Jay at that very moment.

Walnut Cookie brought the plate of toast to her father, who was now staring into space with a dazed, flustered look. Jay focused back on cooking, trying his best not to burst out laughing.
"Here you go, Dad." Walnut Cookie said happily and set the plate in the middle of the table. Almond Cookie snapped out of his trance and smiled at his daughter.
"Thank you, Walnut Cookie." He replied. Almond Cookie slowly picked up his utensils to cut through the fluffy omelette to the heap of rice in the middle. Steam rose from the spoon, and Almond Cookie sighed with pleasure at the taste when he took a bite. It had been a long time since he had a delicious, warm, homemade meal like this. Almond Cookie could get used to this.
Walnut Cookie turned to Jay.
"Do you need any more help with anything, Baker?" She asked. Jay smiled as he began spooning fried rice onto the second cooked omelette.
"You've been a big help." He said gratefully. "I'm almost finished with your omurice, so you can sit down for breakfast," Jay said. Walnut Cookie smiled and nodded. She climbed into her seat across the table from her father and waited politely for her meal.
Jay folded the omelette in half over the top of the rice with the spatula carefully. He glanced at Almond and Walnut Cookie sitting at the table. Only the sound of the frying pan sizzling and the delicate clinking of cutlery broke up the comfortable silence. Jay wanted to make conversation, but he often had a hard time speaking up, and knowing when he should talk, even if the room was dead quiet.
Jay still wasn't sure if he was ready for the responsibility of being a parent, but he still wanted to get along with Walnut Cookie, because he knew it would make Almond Cookie happy.
Jay turned with a smile and presented Walnut Cookie's breakfast with a little, silly flourish.
"Ta-da! It's all done!" He announced. The young girl's eyes sparkled.
"Wow, it looks so good!" Walnut Cookie exclaimed. She leaned over, grabbed the ketchup bottle, and handed it to Jay. "Baker, can you draw something with ketchup like they do in those cafes for me, please?" Walnut asked hopefully. Jay blinked.
"Oh, sure. I can give it a shot." He replied. "What would you like?" Jay asked.
"A jelly bear, please." Walnut Cookie answered. Jay stuck his tongue out slightly in concentration as he squeezed the bottle carefully as Walnut Cookie hovered over the plate and watched closely the entire time.
The ketchup drawing of the jelly bear came out a bit wobbly, but the young girl stared at it like it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen.
"There! I'm a bit better with a pencil than I am with ketchup. But hope you like it." Jay said with a smile. "Unless you want me to draw with pencil on your omurice. But it probably wouldn't taste that good." He joked. Walnut Cookie laughed and shooed Jay away when he made a slow pencil-stabbing motion towards her breakfast. Almond Cookie watched them both with fondness.
"No, it's perfect the way it is!" Walnut Cookie protested lightly with a giggle.
"What do you say, Walnut?" Almond Cookie spoke up.
"Thank you, Baker." Walnut Cookie beamed.
"You're welcome, kid." Jay grinned.
As Walnut Cookie happily dug into her breakfast, Jay turned back to the stove and got to work on making his own omurice.
"Mmm, it's so good. I can't wait to tell Tangerine Tanghulu Cookie all about how I had breakfast with the Baker!" Walnut Cookie exclaimed with a mouthful of rice.
"Don't talk with your mouthful." Almond Cookie reminded without looking up from his paper. Walnut Cookie quickly chewed and swallowed.
"Is that a friend of yours?" Jay asked.
"Yeah. Y'know, she's been to all of the bathhouses in Parfaedia! I've never met a Cookie that likes baths as much as her." Walnut Cookie went on, swinging her legs cheerfully as she ate.
Jay raised his brows slightly in surprise. It was unexpected to hear about bathhouses knowing Cookies got soggy in water or any other liquid, and he had wondered how anyone bathed because of that. But it was intriguing. Jay had never been to a bathhouse before and was curious about what a Cookie bathhouse would be like.
The city of Parfaedia was one of the bigger cities on Crispia that captivated visitors with its unique blend of old-world sophistication and modern convenience. The city was divided into two distinct sectors, each with its own character and appeal. The first sector was the old district. A labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets and alleys lined with buildings that exuded history and tradition, filled with students and wizards honing their craft at the Parfaedia Institute. The locals referred to this area as "Magic City."
The old district stood in stark contrast to the bustling hub of commerce and modernity that surrounded it. Here, towering skyscrapers and sleek buildings dominated the skyline, and the streets were wide and bustling with cars. Despite the contrast, the two districts accommodated the other and created a harmonious blend of old and new, of magic and technology, that was unique to Parfaedia. In many places in the city, the two styles merged. Old and new, growing on top of the other.
Jay plated his omurice, sighed, and finally sat down to enjoy breakfast. Cooking for a family was a lot of hard work. 
He eagerly dug into his meal with a spoon and blew on the still-steaming fried rice wrapped in fluffy eggs topped with a hearty dash of ketchup. Jay hummed in satisfaction as the warmth spread through him, and the gnawing feeling of hunger was satiated. He glanced at Almond Cookie and Walnut Cookie as he ate and smiled faintly.
It was nice to sit down and eat with others for once. When Jay was in the castle, he often ate by himself in the dining hall or took his meal to his room when Pure Vanilla Cookie wasn't visiting. Other than Choco Lava Cake Cookie, Persimmon Cookie, and Saltwater Taffy Cookie, he didn't know the castle staff all that well. So there weren't many Cookies to talk to outside of play dates. But he was often drained socially after each day so it kind of worked out.
When Jay and Walnut Cookie were finished with their breakfast, Almond Cookie glanced at his watch and folded the newspaper.
"We should get you to your next play date, Baker." He prompted as he stood. Almond Cookie collected the dirty plates and stacked them in the sink for later, while Walnut Cookie ran to collect her backpack and put on her distinctive detective hat and coat.
Without any belongings to attend to, Jay waited by the door for Almond and Walnut Cookie.
They stepped into the brisk morning with the warm sun shining on their faces. Almond Cookie turned and locked the door behind them. Then, so casually, he slipped his hand into Jay's tenderly with a warm smile on his face. Jay couldn't help but smile back and blush. Walnut Cookie ran up to Jay's right side and grabbed his hand happily. He was a bit surprised for a moment, but Jay's heart swelled.
Together, the three of them walked hand in hand through the front garden to the sidewalk. It was an incredibly sappy thought, but Jay was sure that they must look like a family. Butterflies danced in his stomach at the thought, and he felt giddy. The offer Almond Cookie had given him the previous night swirled in his mind, mixing with his already affectionate and lovey-dovey thoughts. Jay couldn't help but wonder what life would be like every day if he decided to settle down with Almond Cookie and start a family. Would each day be as sweet as that morning had been?
Jay, Almond, and Walnut Cookie walked out of the quiet residential area down the street until they came to a tram station a block away.
"The school bus stop is that way." Walnut Cookie informed, sounding a little sad.
"Be careful on your way." Almond Cookie said.
"It was a lot of fun meeting you, Walnut. Have a good day at school, sweetie!" Jay added cheerfully with a wave. His stomach immediately dropped when he realized the word that had accidentally slipped out of his mouth due to habit. Heat rose in his cheeks, and Jay's eyes fell to the ground in embarrassment. He didn't want to be too overfamiliar since they had just met, but Jay often called the younger Cookies a lot of sweet pet names when he played the game.
Walnut Cookie, however, wasn't at all bothered. If anything, she beamed at the name and waved goodbye more enthusiastically.
"Bye, Dad! Bye, Baker!" She chirped and skipped off down the sidewalk to catch her bus.
Jay scratched the back of his neck awkwardly as he watched Walnut Cookie disappear out of sight. He sighed and turned to Almond Cookie, who was smiling at him smugly.
"Not ready to be a dad, huh?" Almond Cookie teased. Jay flushed brightly and lightly pushed Almond's arm.
"Oh, leave me alone. It was an accident." He grumbled. Almond Cookie chuckled softly and gave Jay's hand a tender squeeze.
"You're next play date is waiting. I'll escort you to the museum." He stated, quickly shifting into work mode. Jay smiled gratefully at the detective. He cuddled up affectionately to Almond Cookie's side and hugged his arm.
They had taken only one step before they were interrupted by the crackling of Almond Cookie's radio. He reached into his coat pocket and answered the Cookie chattering at the other end. Almond Cookie listened attentively for a minute before his face fell, and he answered with a terse, "Is it an emergency?"
"I-If you need to go, that's alright!" Jay said, keeping his voice low. "I can find my way to the museum." He reassured.
"Baker, are you sure?" Almond Cookie asked. "I don't think it's safe for you to be wandering through the city alone." He said.
"I can get there easily. I'll be fine, Almond." Jay replied confidently, though his confidence appeared shaky to Almond Cookie.
Jay wanted to look good in front of Almond Cookie, and he didn't want to be any more of a burden on him than he already had been. He could do it! It was just a simple tram ride to the museum. The Cookies of Parfaedia took trams and buses all the time and didn't even think about it. He could handle something that easy.
Almond Cookie glanced between his radio and Jay before sighing quietly and relenting. Technically, according to the rules, his time with Jay was up, and he wasn't allowed to take up any more of his time. He clicked the button on the transceiver and answered.
"Alright, I'm on my way." Almond Cookie replied. Jay smiled.
"Have a good day at work, Almond. Stay safe!" He chirped. Almond Cookie turned his attention back to Jay, a smile softened his features. He placed the transceiver back into its holster under his coat.
When Jay opened his mouth to further reassure Almond Cookie that he would be fine getting to the museum alone, he was quickly caught off guard by Almond Cookie stepping closer, grabbing him by the waist, pulling him flush against his lean chest and stealing one last kiss. Jay's head spun as the warmth of Almond Cookie's lips flooded his senses. But before he could lose himself in the sensation, Almond Cookie quickly pulled away as a loud wolf whistle sounded from across the street. Jay blushed fiercely as Almond Cookie swiftly glared daggers at the Cookie on the other side of the street, daring them to repeat the action. The Cookie hastily made their escape and scurried in the other direction. 
Almond Cookie relaxed after seeing that the coast was clear, although he still seemed agitated. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a small piece of paper, and slipped it into Jay's hand.
"Here's my number. Call me anytime for anything you need. I'll be there," Almond Cookie said, his tone soft yet serious. Jay nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Almond Cookie's blue eyes, his head still spinning from the pleasant haze of the kiss.
"O-Ok..." Jay murmured, his grip on the note tightened like it would keep him grounded in reality. He stared up at Almond Cookie expectantly with big, wide eyes.
Jay was hoping, praying, for another kiss. He would drop to his knees and plead for one final goodbye kiss. Even a kiss on the cheek would be enough.
Almond Cookie cracked a small, smug smile. It was cute to see the Baker all flustered and shy like this, especially since he was the one who caused it.
"Well, it's time for me to get going. Take care, Baker." He stated and turned abruptly on his heel. Jay swallowed hard and nodded again dreamily.
Jay was left standing there on wobbly knees. Overwhelmed, and his head swimming with a dizzy happiness.
He didn't know that Almond Cookie could be so smooth.
As Jay stood on the sidewalk trying to compose himself and wondering how Almond Cookie could leave him there so flustered when they had just kissed so sweetly, the bell signalling the arrival of the tram rung out. The tram coasted to a stop in front of the station and Cookies filed off the car. Jay quickly pulled himself together and hurried to the tram doors, waiting until it was his turn to board.
Jay tried to keep his head down to avoid drawing any attention to himself, but when the tram driver offered him an enthusiastic good morning by name, all the passenger's eyes were on him in an instant. Jay kept his eyes on the floor.
"Good morning." He replied quietly.
Jay quickly shuffled to the nearest empty seat and sat down, trying to ignore the multiple eyes on him. It felt a lot more exposing when Almond Cookie wasn't with him.
As the tram slowly proceeded from the station and sped up along the tracks, Jay was whisked away into his daydreams of Almond Cookie as he stared out the window. His mind was filled with images of the handsome detective as Jay replayed the events of their time together over and over. He smiled shyly to himself, remembering the passionate goodbye kiss they had shared, and butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Jay felt positively lovestruck. He wanted to squeal, kick his legs, and flap his hands; he was so happy!
Jay was so lost in his own little world that he failed to notice that several stops had passed before he was pulled from his thoughts. When he gazed out the window at the passing shops, he suddenly realized with a jolt that he had no idea where he was heading.
Jay hadn't asked Almond Cookie what tram he should take to get to the museum and got on the first one that came to the station without thinking about it. His heart began to pound, and his anxiety spiked. Jay nervously looked around the tram car and out the window to see if anything looked familiar. The dot-matrix sign on the bus roof displayed "Lazy Hickory Bank St," and Jay felt panic rising in his stomach. He had no idea where he was.
Jay was caught in a state of anxious indecision, trying to muster the courage to make his next move.
The tram was moving further and further away from Almond Cookie's place every second. If he were to stop the tram and get off now, he wouldn't know where to go and would be completely lost in the middle of the city. Jay's poor memory wouldn't help when trying to find his way. Staying on the tram until it went around and completed its route would take too long, and he would be late for his play date with Eclair Cookie.
Jay's body felt hot, he sweated, and his mind swam with dizziness. He didn't know what to do. With every Cookie's eyes on him, he was too embarrassed to move and ask the driver for help. 
Why could he never do anything right?
Amid his developing anxiety attack, Jay was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by a Cookie sitting in the seat next to him.
"Hi, Baker! Where are you off to?" She greeted sweetly. Jay stared at her in bewilderment for a moment. Her manner was so casual Jay, for a split second, thought he had met this Cookie before and had merely forgotten. But she didn't seem familiar to him at all. The Cookie was an attractive young woman, a little older than him, with raisins making up the numerous freckles on her face. 
Jay plastered a smile on his face out of politeness.
"Uh, hi." He answered awkwardly. The Cookie moved in closer, invading his personal space. Jay subtly leaned away, uncomfortable but trying not to appear rude. The Cookie didn't even notice, or completely ignored, his reaction, continuing with her conversation.
"Are you doing anything right now? Why don't we go out for a drink together? I have a group of friends that really would like to meet you!" She purred. A sly grin curled her lips as her hand slid over to touch Jay's knee. Jay tensed up anxiously.
"U-Uh, sorry. I'm busy today." He replied. Jay tried to be firm and curt, but it died in his throat, coming out weakly.
The young woman was completely unfazed. She bumped him gently with her shoulder.
"Oh, c'mon~ It'll be lots of fun! It's not every day you meet the Baker in person. Surely an hour won't take much of your day, right?" She said, flashing a mischievous smirk. Jay's stomach churned uncomfortably. She pushed herself closer to him, and Jay's eyes darted around the tram car.
Something was seriously wrong.
Jay's heart raced as he glanced out the window, pretending to see something, and quickly pulled the stop request cord.
"Oh, sorry, this is my stop!" He piped up.
The tram came to a stop in front of a station on the sidewalk. Jay turned to the Cookie next to him and gripped the backrest of the seat in front of him as the tram slowed down. He waited expectantly for the lady to move and let him into the aisle, but she remained seated, staring at him with a smile. Jay glanced to the tram doors as they opened.
"Um, please excuse me." He said. There was a pause, which felt like it lasted a tense eternity.
"Oh! Is this your stop?" The Freckled Cookie said innocently.
"Yes. Please excuse me." Jay repeated, nervous that the tram driver would close the doors and he would lose his chance to escape.
"Oh, darn." Freckled Cookie replied, sounding disappointed, but still playful. "Perhaps another time then, Baker?" She suggested as she stood from her seat to allow Jay to pass. Jay simply nodded curtly and avoided the Freckled Cookie's eye as he quickly hurried out of his seat to the front of the tram.
The tram driver waved goodbye to him and Jay said a quiet "thank you" and stepped onto the cobblestone street. As the tram's bell dinged and continued on its path, Jay looked around at the unfamiliar section of Parfaedia he found himself in.
He had no idea where he was. He was completely lost.
Jay could feel the panic bubbling in his stomach, and he gripped the sleeves of his white button-up, his palms growing sweaty. He tried in vain to remember the route the tram had taken so he could walk back to where he had started, but Jay had been so distracted and nervous that he couldn't remember. Regret stabbed in his chest like a sharp thorn. Why, oh, why didn't he let Almond Cookie escort him to the museum?
At times like these, Jay truly missed having a mobile phone in his pocket. He could easily text Almond Cookie for help or use a map to find his way. Unfortunately, phone service hadn't been set up in his kingdom yet, so he had to go without a cell phone for a bit.
Jay let out a heavy sigh of defeat and began briskly walking in the direction from which the tram had come. He hoped that by some miracle, he would find his way back to Almond Cookie's house. From there, he could locate the Parfaedia Institute museum.
At every crossroads and intersection, Jay agonized over which direction to take. His indecisiveness made him doubt every decision and every memory of the trip on the tram, only for him to pick a direction at random because it 'felt right.'
After only a few minutes into his walk, Jay's determination began to waver. Nothing looked familiar, and he couldn't pick out any landmarks he had seen near the library. Jay would occasionally glance over his shoulder as he continued on his march. He wasn't sure if it was his anxiety making him paranoid, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched and followed. It had crossed his mind to stop and ask someone for directions, but talking to someone was even more terrifying to him than being lost. Even when he tried, he quickly backed out and continued walking.
Jay internally scolded himself for being a wimp and being unable to do anything by himself.
Like ants locked in a death spiral, his feet kept walking in a straight line despite the weariness ebbing at the edges of his waning determination and the resignation of being late gnawing at his ankles, making him drag his feet slower and slower.
When Cookies passing him on the street saw him, they whispered excitedly to each other, giggling, their eyes flicking toward him with giddiness, like seeing a celebrity in broad daylight. But this only made Jay feel worse about himself. He could only imagine they were making fun of him for being so helpless.
Lost in a daze, Jay wasn't paying attention to his surroundings anymore. He trudged aimlessly forward, completely giving up trying to find his way and surrendering to the fact that he was hopelessly lost.
Jay was unsure of how far he had walked, but eventually stopped when his feet began to ache. He sighed heavily and glanced around to see if he could spot a bench to rest on and collect himself. When he looked up from the hard almond tiles a sense of familiarity came over him.
The tall trees of the park across the street gently swayed in the wind, the sound of young Cookies playing on the wooden playground in the distance added to the sense of deja vu coming over him. Jay turned in surprise to realize he was standing in front of the small cafe he and Almond Cookie had visited yesterday. And that meant the Parfaedia Museum was only around the corner!
Somehow, by some miracle, Jay had wandered right to where he needed to be without even realizing it.
Jay felt a wave of relief, and his knees grew a little weak. He felt lucky not to have ended up getting lost and missing his play date with Eclair Cookie because of all the stupid mistakes he had made.
But now that he was here, something had etched itself into his mind since he had caught a glimpse of it, and he couldn't shake the feeling of curiosity. The museum wasn't too far away, so he decided to take a quick detour. 
Jay glanced around nervously before venturing down the dimly lit alley between the cafe and the adjacent building. The sunlight dimmed, and the air became cooler in the shade. The bricks and stones retained a lingering dampness from yesterday's shower. Ahead, bathed in the bright cascading light of the sun filtering through the leaves of a few small trees was a lovely courtyard. An arched gateway blocked the entrance inside with elegant ironwork bars. Due to the gate, Jay would have left it alone since it seemed to be private, but the iron gate had no lock, and it was already slightly ajar. The gate squeaked quietly as Jay slowly pulled it open and slipped into the courtyard. The sunlight was warm on the sandy-colored bricks. There was a stone garden faucet, beds of well-cared-for decorative plants, and flowers along the edges of the courtyard. A single bench was placed in the area, and off to the side, shrouded in the shadows, was a stone statue. 
It was a meticulously crafted high-relief sculpture, showcasing careful attention to detail and skillful artistry and clearly made with a loving reverence.
Only, this was a statue of... him.
Not depicted as a Cookie. But a translation of the real him. When he was human. Despite the life-like detail, it had taken a couple of seconds for Jay to even recognize his own previous human form. He had almost forgotten what he used to look like.
The statue portrayed Jay as an angelic being. He sported outstretched angel wings on his back and was clothed in lavish flowing fabrics. His eyes were closed in a peaceful, serene expression, and the statue had its arms opened wide like it was beckoning the viewer into a tender and loving embrace. As Jay looked closer, it appeared that the sculpture was depicted as if emerging from the wall behind it. At the foot of the statue was a carved shallow stone basin that had a good amount of coins piled inside. Candles, both new and melted, were placed around the basin.
Jay stared at the stone sculpture, mesmerized. He had no idea how to feel about this or even what to think of what he just stumbled upon.
He knew that the Cookies viewed him as some sort of "God" and worshipped him. Still, seeing this statue clearly made for devotion to him using the appearance of his human self suddenly made everything all too real.
How many of these statues existed? How long had it been here, and what other things like it were hidden from him?
A sense of foreboding sent chills up Jay's back as he was suddenly paralyzed by the ghostly sensation of arms wrapping around him from behind and a pair of lips lightly kissing the back of his neck.
Jay bristled, nearly jumping out of his dough. He whipped around to confront the creep who had touched him to find a Cookie standing there, also startled by his sudden jolt. Marocchino Cookie quickly withdrew his hand, no longer needing to tap Jay on the shoulder to get his attention.
"W-What the hell!?" Jay snapped. Marocchino Cookie looked taken aback.
"Baker..? A-Are you alright?" He asked.
Jay's brows furrowed in confusion. He glanced around, his eyes returning to Marocchino's confused face when he didn't spot anyone else in the courtyard with them.
The sensation felt undeniably real; he could have sworn that someone had touched him. Did he simply imagine it?
Jay's stomach suddenly twisted in anxiousness, and he felt his face heat up in embarrassment when he realized his mistake.
"S-Sorry. I thought... I- I didn't mean to shout at you. You scared the hell out of me." He quickly apologized, placing his hand over his heart, trying to calm himself down. Marocchino Cookie chuckled.
"It's alright, Baker. I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that." He replied. "I was just wondering what you were doing back here." Marocchino questioned. Jay's eyes widened. He looked between the sculpture and the barista a little awkwardly.
"Oh, I-I was just curious about the statue," Jay explained with a meek point to the stone figure. "S-Sorry, am I not supposed to be back here?" He asked nervously. Marocchino's eyes softened.
"No, it's alright. You can do whatever you want." He replied softly. Jay blinked.
"Uh, thanks. You're Marocchino Cookie, right?" He asked with a hesitant smile. Marocchino Cookie's eyes lit up and sparkled. The corners of his mouth curled upwards into a bright grin that radiated pure joy like he had been given the most precious gift in the world. His face flushed.
"Baker... you- you remembered my name." Marocchino Cookie whispered fervently. "I'm honestly so happy to see you again." He admitted. There was a pause, and Jay's polite smile strained.
Though flattering, he didn't know why, but Jay felt a little uncomfortable. And it was more than usual.
Jay had played Cookie Run Kingdom very frequently, it had been a little bit of an obsession. And because of that, he had developed an extensive knowledge of every character, including their stories and personalities. He felt like he could see deep into the Cookies' minds and inner thoughts because the game gave him a panoptic view of everything when he played. Despite Jay's familiarity with the playable Cookies and NPCs, Marocchino Cookie was a mystery to him. Since Marocchino Cookie didn't appear in the game as an NPC, Jay had no idea what he was thinking and couldn't get a clear read on him like he could with the playable Cookies he knew well. This strange blindness left Jay feeling awkward and vulnerable. And up until now, he hadn't been completely alone with a regular Cookie.
Jay laughed awkwardly, trying to cover up how nervous he felt. Marocchino Cookie stared at him as if entranced.
"Uh, yeah. I do." He replied politely. The last notes of the conversation hung in the air for an uncomfortable amount of time while Marocchino continued to gawk at him.
"Uhm... do you know who made that statue?" Jay asked. After a second, Marocchino Cookie blinked and seemed to finally return to reality. The barista quickly cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness in the air.
"Oh, that? I’m not sure where it came from. It just appeared there one day. But thanks to that statue, I get to see your pretty face every day, so I’m not complaining. Though, it doesn't quite compare to the real thing," Marocchino Cookie said with a smirk. Jay flushed and cracked an awkward, half smile. Marocchino Cookie suddenly took an eager step toward him, and Jay had to resist the knee-jerk reaction to take a step back.
"Baker, would you like to come in and have a coffee with me?" Marocchino Cookie asked sweetly. He threw Jay a charming wink. "It'll be my treat!" He added. Jay paused.
He couldn't shake the weird vibe that Marocchino Cookie was giving him. He wasn't sure what it was, but it made him uneasy. Though, maybe it was just because of his anxiety. Or perhaps he just felt weird because Marocchino Cookie was the first Cookie he'd ever interacted with outside of playing the game. Jay began to feel a little bad because of his hesitation. Marocchino Cookie was just trying to be friendly and invite him in for coffee, there surely wasn't anything wrong with that. He clearly was as nervous as Jay was, so of course, he was acting a little weird. To him, Jay was like a celebrity. Who wouldn't act awkwardly in front of a famous person when you were least expecting to see them? 
Jay thought he was improving from spending so much time with the Cookies. But it looked like he was still the same as he had always been.
"Oh, thank you! Sorry, b-but... I've got to get to the Mu- M-My next play date, and I don't want to be late." Jay declined gently.
Marocchino Cookie was oddly quiet for a moment, his expression blank. The anxiety surged in Jay's stomach, and the silence made him feel like he had said something wrong.
"Y'know... it's pretty unfair for regular Cookies like me," Marocchino Cookie said, almost absentmindedly. The sudden shift in his tone made Jay tense. It wasn't quite sorrow or even disappointment - there was a note of resigned bitterness when he spoke. "we weren't playable in the game or even NPCs, so we don't get to spend time with you like the others do..." Marocchino Cookie muttered.
The barista trudged closer.
Jay nervously took a matching step back.
"It really hurts, y'know. When you're not around." Marocchino said, his breath hitching slightly. "My dough crawls." He hissed.
"It hurts so much when you don't look at me. I just miss you so much, Baker. All Cookies feel this way." Marocchino Cookie sighed, his voice dropping to an eerie whisper.
Jay had no idea what to say to this, and even if he did, he had completely lost his voice. He could only stand there, frozen in place, as Marocchino Cookie inched forward. The barista's eyes were locked onto Jay, like he was hypnotized by the sight of his face.
Marocchino Cookie stood directly in front of Jay now, staring down at him almost expectantly. Jay squeezed his own hand anxiously to hide that he was trembling.
"I-It... I admit it is a little unfair, b-but I can't be every- everywhere at once a-and spend time with every Cookie on Earthbread..." Jay stammered out, echoing Almond Cookie's previous words. "I-I'm just one person." He said meekly.
Jay flinched when Marocchino Cookie grabbed his hands and squeezed them tightly, looking at him with pleading dark chocolate eyes. 
"Please, come inside. Just for a few minutes?" He begged. The barista smiled awkwardly as if realizing how strange he was acting. "Not to mention, my aunt would be thrilled to see you again, too. She was so worried about you when you got soaked yesterday because you could have caught a cold. So, please, just a few minutes?" Marocchino Cookie urged.
Jay wanted to say no. This made him uncomfortable, and he didn't want to give in to such blatantly forceful tactics. However, he couldn't deny the genuine desperation in Marocchino's eyes. He couldn't help but feel bad for him. Jay had no idea Cookies actually suffered because he wasn't near them physically. He hadn't realized how much they depended on him.
Too anxious to reject Marocchino Cookie's request, Jay relented. He swallowed thickly and nodded.
"I... I could stop for a quick drink..." Jay compromised quietly. As soon as he heard those words, it was like a switch was flipped, and Marocchino Cookie lit up in delight.
"Oh, thank you, Baker! Anything you want, I'll make it! All for free, of course." He chirped. Marocchino Cookie gave Jay's hand another squeeze and dragged him out of the courtyard and around to the front of the cafe.
The bell above the door jingled as Marocchino Cookie pushed it open and entered the cafe excitedly. The owner looked up from her task of wiping down the counter and paused her humming.
"Auntie Coffee Cake Cookie, look who I brought!" Marocchino Cookie announced in a sing-song voice as he pulled Jay inside. Coffee Cake Cookie's expression brightened instantly.
She was a middle-aged Cookie, dressed neatly in a cream-colored sweater and jeans with black loafers and a black apron. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a neat bun.
"Baker, I'm delighted to see you again, dear!" She greeted sweetly. "I was starting to get worried that you had gotten sick because of yesterday's shower." Coffee Cake Cookie said.
"I-I'm fine," Jay reassured.
What Marocchino Cookie said had been true, at least what he said about his Aunt. A pit formed in his stomach. Was it true? Did Cookies really suffer physical symptoms when they went a long time without contact with him?
Just thinking about it made him feel uneasy. Maybe that's why they were so clingy.
"So, what can I get for you, Baker?" Coffee Cake Cookie asked. Jay glanced up at the drink menu. Marocchino Cookie held onto his arm like a cop preventing a criminal from bolting. He could feel the warmth of Marocchino Cookie's body as he hovered close and the lingering hawk-like presence of his stare. Jay swallowed nervously.
"Uhm, can I get the peach, strawberry, and banana smoothie, please?" He requested. Coffee Cake Cookie smiled.
"Of course, coming right up!" She replied.
Jay moved to pat his pants pocket for his coin pouch before he realized with a drop of his stomach that all his belongings had been left behind at the townhouse last night. That included his wallet and journal.
"Oh no..." He whined.
"What's wrong, Baker?" Marocchino Cookie said.
"I... forgot my wallet at home." He sighed heavily in defeat. "I'm so sorry." Jay apologized. The bright side was that since he didn't have any money to pay, he could use it as an excuse to leave and escape to the museum.
"That's alright, Baker. This will be a little gift from me to you. As thanks for visiting our little cafe." Coffee Cake Cookie winked at him playfully. Jay nodded awkwardly as his flimsy plan was immediately thwarted.
"Oh. That's really kind of you, thank you." He replied quietly.
Coffee Cake Cookie smiled and turned her back to whip up Jay's order while Marocchino Cookie pulled him to a small, two-seat table to sit down. Now that he was sitting, Jay felt grateful for a break, as he was tired from all the walking.
It hadn't felt like he had walked that far, but his feet said otherwise.
Jay signed and leaned back into his seat to relax. He stole a glance at Marocchino Cookie.
The barista had his eyes glued to his lap and fidgeted with the short braid in his wavy, tousled hair. Jay couldn't see what, but Marocchino Cookie was fiddling with something in his other hand under the table.
As Coffee Cake Cookie hummed a cheerful tune to herself behind the counter, she meticulously chopped fresh fruits — ripe strawberries, juicy peaches, and sweet bananas — preparing to toss them into the blender. The morning air was filled with the delightful aroma of freshly baked pastries and ground coffee beans. The blender soon roared to life, its noisy whirring cutting through the peaceful silence of the cafe. 
"Marocchino Cookie, the tables need to be wiped down!" Coffee Cake Cookie shouted above the noise. Marocchino pouted a little and quickly glanced toward Jay as if waiting for him to say something. 
"In a minute! No one's come in yet anyways!" Marocchino Cookie called back. Coffee Cake Cookie rolled her eyes and shook her head, allowing a small smirk to form on her lips as she turned to retrieve some glassware.
Jay stayed quiet, distracting himself by staring at and picking his hands. He didn't want to talk to Marocchino Cookie. Still, the awkward silence only made it worse, especially since it seemed like Marocchino Cookie was desperately trying to gather the courage to say something.
Marocchino Cookie gulped and lifted his head to stare at Jay for a moment.
"Hey, uh, Baker?" He said quietly.
Jay glanced at him curiously and blinked. He resisted the urge to look away when their eyes met. Marocchino Cookie cleared his throat nervously. "Could you hold out your hand?" He requested.
Immediately, Jay felt apprehensive about doing anything Marocchino Cookie wanted.
"What is it?" Jay asked.
"I... want to give you a gift," Marocchino Cookie said bashfully. He looked somewhat ashamed of himself. Through his messy bangs, Jay could barely see his face, flushed bright red. 
Despite his reservations, Jay extended his hand as if accepting a dare. His body was tense, much like the anticipation before rolling the dice. He couldn’t shake the uncertainty of whether he should trust Marocchino Cookie or not.
Marocchino Cookie gently placed something small and plastic in Jay's open palm. 
It was a cute liquid keychain resembling a cup filled with chocolate milk tea. The handmade trinket was filled with sparkles, coffee beans, and floating tapioca ball charms. Jay's eyes widened in surprise. 
"Oh!" he exclaimed. "This is so cute!" He beamed as he shook the charm, watching the bubbles and sparkles swirl around inside. Marocchino Cookie rested his chin on his palm, trying to appear cool and collected while avoiding Jay's gaze by looking up at the menu board.
"I... made it myself," he said quietly. Jay turned to Marocchino Cookie, astonished. 
"Whoa, really? You made this?" He asked, pointing to the keychain. Marocchino Cookie nodded, his face red from embarrassment. "Wow, Marocchino Cookie that's so cool! Thanks so much, I love it!" Jay complimented genuinely. Marocchino Cookie blushed more intensely, lowering his head shyly and hiding it in the crook of his elbow as if the tiniest bit of praise from Jay was too much for him to handle.
"I-It's not a big deal." He muttered. "It's just a hobby. I'm not that great at it." Marocchino Cookie shrugged nonchalantly. Despite his answer, Marocchino Cookie peeked at Jay from underneath his hair, his sharp, slitted eye stared at him almost nervously.
"Are you kidding? This looks professionally made to me. You should make more and sell them!" Jay encouraged cheerfully.
"I wanted to send it to you, but the Parfaedia Council rejected my gift cause it wasn't high quality enough for the gift basket standards." Marocchino Cookie said sullenly. Jay raised his brows.
"What, really?" he said in surprise. "Well... that's kind of unfair. I personally love the gift you made me, so I don't know what the Council was thinking." Jay pouted. If he had his messenger bag with him, Jay would have immediately attached it to the strap.
"It was such a shame. Marocchino Cookie worked so hard on it. He was crushed when he got the rejection letter." Coffee Cake Cookie commented as she set the plastic tray on the table.
"Auntie..." Marocchino Cookie grumbled in embarrassment.
"Here you are, Baker," Coffee Cake Cookie said pleasantly, handing Jay his smoothie and a free breakfast pastry. "But it's a stroke of luck that you dropped by again. So everything worked out in the end!" She grinned.
"Yeah. I guess it did." Jay replied, smiling warmly with a glance at Marocchino Cookie. Marocchino Cookie's heart swelled as their eyes met for a brief moment.
Jay sipped on his smoothie happily. The drink and little snack helped to soothe the anxious knot in his stomach and give him back some energy. Only when he was halfway through his drink did Jay glance at the clock on the wall and remember with a jolt that he had somewhere to be.
"Oh crap, I've got to get going!" He blurted out. Jay stuffed the keychain charm in his pocket, and grabbed his drink, heading for the door. "Thanks so much for everything!" He called as he quickly waved goodbye.
"Have fun today, and be sure to drop by again soon!" Coffee Cake Cookie said cheerfully.
As Jay pushed open the cafe door and stepped outside, Marocchino Cookie rushed to catch up.
"Baker, wait!" He exclaimed. Jay stopped and turned around to face the barista, his eyes wide. Marocchino Cookie's lips parted, and he searched for words, which took a couple of seconds to find.
"Listen... I just wanted to say I'm sorry for being so pushy earlier." He said awkwardly. "A regular Cookie like me seeing you twice in two days is an incredible stroke of luck, a-and I didn't want to lose the chance to give you my gift." Marocchino Cookie explained sheepishly. Jay softened, and he smiled gently.
Maybe he had misjudged Marocchino Cookie.
"It's alright," he replied. Jay opened his arms to Marocchino Cookie and gestured for a hug. The action caught him off guard, and Marocchino's eyes widened in awe, his cheeks glowing red. A beat passed before Marocchino Cookie eagerly lunged forward and hugged Jay tightly. The suddenness startled Jay slightly, but he chuckled at Marocchino Cookie's enthusiasm and squeezed him back.
"Thank you, Baker... Oh, thank you." Marocchino Cookie whispered. Jay rubbed his back soothingly, and when they parted, Marocchino grinned. "A-And one more thing? I promise I won't keep you any longer after this!" He blurted out.
"Alright, what is it?" Jay replied. He snickered a bit and put his hand on his hip. Marocchino Cookie dug his phone out of his pocket and held it up tentatively.
"Could I take a selfie with you, please?" He asked. Jay was both surprised and flattered; he truly felt like a celebrity at that moment.
"O-Oh, sure!" Jay replied, trying not to sound flustered, but it was evident by his flushed cheeks.
Marocchino Cookie hastily switched to the camera app and pulled Jay close to his side by his waist. He nuzzled his cheek against Jay's and winked at the camera.
"Smile!" He said. Jay didn't have the time to process how close Marocchino Cookie was and how that made him feel, so he quickly smiled as the picture was snapped. As soon as it was done, Marocchino Cookie pulled away and beamed.
"Thanks so much, Baker! You seriously made my whole day." He gushed happily. Jay blinked, and a fond smile crept over his features.
"You're welcome." He answered softly. Marocchino Cookie grinned smugly and shook his phone tauntingly, the screen displaying the selfie.
"My friends will be so jealous when they see I got to take a selfie with the Baker!" He joked lightly. Jay laughed and took it as his cue to leave, he raised his hand and waved goodbye to the barista.
"See you later!" He smiled. Marocchino Cookie waved back cheerfully until Jay turned around and continued down the street to the Parfaedia Institute Museum.
"Marocchino Cookie, you forgot to flip the sign to open!" Coffee Cake Cookie complained. "No wonder no one has come in yet!" She huffed. Jay turned slightly and glanced over his shoulder, quietly snickering to himself at the two's antics.
"Ugh, sorry Auntie! I completely forgot." Marocchino Cookie lied sheepishly.

Jay waited for the light to change before crossing the street. Even from a block away, he could see the imposing grandness of the Parfaedia Museum against the cities skyline. As he walked through the neatly landscaped courtyard, he noticed Eclair Cookie pacing restlessly back and forth in front of the museums doors. Jay picked up the pace and hurried up the walkway.
"Eclair Cookie!" Jay called. He waved his arm in the air to get the scholar's attention.
At the sound of Jay's voice, Eclair Cookie was pulled from his deep, worried thoughts and stopped in his tracks. A look of relief washed over him as Jay trotted up to him.
"Baker, there you are. I was getting worried that something had happened to you! I was about to call Detective Almond Cookie." Eclair Cookie huffed.
"I'm sorry for being late." Jay apologized. "I... kinda got a little lost on my way here." He admitted bashfully. Eclair Cookie seemed to relax slightly and sighed.
"Well, all that matters is that you're here now, and safe!" He replied. Eclair Cookie cleared his throat to abruptly change the topic, and wrapped his arm around Jay's shoulders, eagerly ushering him through the museum doors.
"Now, let's begin the tour. There's so much I wish to show you Baker, and hardly enough time to get through it all!" He said excitedly.

Travelling through the refined halls of the museum, whisked along by Eclair Cookie's passionate lecturing, admiring the meticulously curated wings of history made Jay all the more regretful that he didn't have his journal with him. He was going to have to try his best to commit anything useful that could get him back home to memory until he got his hands on his journal again. And with the speed at which Eclair Cookie was talking, it would be a bit difficult. But even though he couldn't make any progress right now, that shouldn't stop him from asking questions and absorbing as much information as he could.
With Eclair Cookie's enthusiasm for history, he didn't have any problem answering questions or going on separate tangents when something piqued Jay's interest. But Jay wasn't the only one asking questions. It was clear that Eclair Cookie was as eager to learn about Jay as Jay was to learn about history.
In the first Hall of History, they perused slowly through the relics on display before coming to the behemoth of magical engineering, the Waffle Cone Magic Golem. Jay stared up in awe at the huge automaton.
"These Wafflebots are marvels of magichanical engineering of the past long gone. Modern science has yet to unravel the secrets of these ancient automatons!" Eclair Cookie said, reciting his expertly rehearsed script. Jay stopped and thought deeply for a moment on Eclair's words with his finger on his chin.
Magichanical technology could be a good starting lead. Jay had heard of it and knew that the Creme Republic was the biggest manufacturer of this kind of technology these days. From the hint that Clotted Cream Cookie had dropped during the party, it was more than likely magichanical technology was used to build the portal that brought him here. And that it was powerful enough to span across time and space. If he could make another one and power it... that could be his ticket home. But the question was how?
Jay turned his head to Eclair Cookie, who was looking over his shoulder at the plaque in front of the Wafflebot display.
"Eclair, you said that these old Vanilla Kingdom Wafflebots are more powerful than any magichanical technology you currently have, right?" He asked.
"That's right!" Eclair Cookie replied cheerfully. "Despite all the advancements the Creme Republic has made, they still haven't managed to uncover how these magnificent Wafflebots functioned for so long while remaining crispy." He said. "Although the Vanilla Kingdom has been revived, those who originally built them are long gone, and perhaps the secrets of their magichanical technology have been lost to time as well." Eclair Cookie mused, shaking his head.
"Do you really believe that?" Jay questioned curiously. Eclair Cookie couldn't hold back a smile and practically beamed at Jay's question.
"Truthfully, no, I don't believe so." He replied. "History lives in everything we do, so nothing is truly lost. Maybe someday, we will find the secrets to that technology in a place we never thought to look. That's what makes studying and piecing together the past so fun." Eclair Cookie gushed. The historian's enthusiasm was infectious, and Jay couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah... I think you're right." He agreed.
"Are you also a fan of history, Baker?" Eclair Cookie inquired.
"Well... I guess so. But I'm probably not as big a history buff as you." Jay joked lightly. He was interested in Earthbread's history, but it wasn't only that. Maybe it was because he was obsessed with the game. Still, Jay wanted to know everything about Earthbread and all that inhabited it. Every corner of the world and all its Cookies, from the tallest mountain range to the smallest flora. He wanted to know everything. Whether he was as smart as Eclair Cookie to achieve that remained to be seen.  
"Does magichanical technology exist in your world, Baker?" Eclair Cookie asked.
"Oh, no. Magic doesn't exist where I come from. It's all machines and no magic." Jay answered. Eclair Cookie quickly pulled out a scroll of paper and his quill and began scribbling the information down.
"Fascinating." He muttered. "Then how is it possible to produce enough resources to run these machines without magic to offset some of the energy consumption?" Eclair Cookie questioned curiously.
"It's not," Jay said rather bitterly. Eclair Cookie furrowed his brows slightly and tilted his head as Jay turned away and continued down the hall, admiring the rich and beautiful history Earthbread had to offer. 
They had entered the Vanilla Kingdom's section of the gallery. Jay gazed up at the woven tapestry depicting Pure Vanilla Cookie about to embark on his journey on the Sugar-Free Road. It was beautifully crafted, enhancing Pure Vanilla Cookie's radiance.
At that moment, Jay felt a wave of deep longing for Pure Vanilla Cookie hit him. He missed their moments together more than he had realized. With his busy travel schedule keeping them apart for so long, he couldn't help but wish they could be together again. Jay hoped Pure Vanilla Cookie was resting and eating properly. His stomach filled with a warm fuzziness at the thought of being able to be in Vanilla's arms again. Pure Vanilla Cookie always gave the best hugs. The softness, warmth, and safety Vanilla gave him couldn't be beaten.
Jay sighed to himself wistfully as he approached a long glass case displaying a few small relics. As he got closer, he recognized the items immediately. The warm, fuzzy feeling in his stomach dropped away, leaving nothing but a cold prickling sensation that crept around his heart and twisted it painfully.
Oh... That's right.
Eclair Cookie noticed Jay pausing in front of the case, and he swiftly joined him.
"Ah, you have a keen eye, Baker! Such simple, personal items sometimes have the most impact when it comes to history. To see into the lives of those in the past through the items they cherished is invaluable." He said cheerfully. Eclair Cookie went on, but Jay was no longer listening.
Eclair Cookie was right. They did have an impact on him. Completely ordinary personal items such as this, things that would go unnoticed by a passerby, pulled Jay back to reality.
How could he have forgotten about... her.
An old letter, delicately propped up on a stand, longing still filling its pages for the recipient.
A secret locket, holding a precious moment of them together that only he has seen, with eyes filled with affection.
And a single, perfectly preserved white lily. Protected under an elegant glass dome inside the display case.
How could he have forgotten about Pure Vanilla Cookie's love for White Lily Cookie?
It was a cold, sobering reminder that Jay didn't belong in this world. He didn't belong with Pure Vanilla Cookie and had no chance. How could he possibly compete with her? 
The future of the Ancient Cookie and who he was destined to end up with was already written, and there was nothing Jay could do about it.
Jay began to question whether Pure Vanilla Cookie truly loved him or if he was only acting that way because the Cookies believed he was a god. Given how Marocchino Cookie treated him and behaved, it was likely that his arrival from another world and the Cookies' sudden sentience had affected them in some way. These feelings of admiration and love weren't genuine. 
None of it was real.
It felt like Jay's heart was breaking. Hot tears welled in his eyes, and he fought to keep them from spilling over. 
Despite feeling like his only form of happiness in this situation was crumbling, this heartbreak only strengthened his resolve to find a way back to the real world.
"Baker? Is something wrong?" Eclair Cookie said in concern, snapping Jay back to the present. He had been staring at the display case while Eclair Cookie had been rambling on. Jay took a deep breath.
"Yeah, I was just thinking." He replied simply. "Let's keep going. I can't wait to see more of the museum." Jay said a little more cheerfully.

They arrived at the fifth gallery in the museum, which resembled a planetarium. The high walls ended in a glass ceiling, allowing light to pour in and shine brilliantly off the NightSky Moonstone. Jay had to shield his eyes with his hand from the bright glowing stone and the flecks of prismatic colors it reflected across the room.
The relic was enormous, displayed on a smooth, colorful stone bowl to keep it in place on a stage elevated slightly above the ground. Each of the Candystones were arranged on stands surrounding the NightSky Moonstone, resembling planets orbiting a star.
Eclair Cookie quickly launched into his lecture again, describing each one of the stones and explaining the lore behind them. As Jay started walking towards the NightSky Moonstone he found it hard to stay engaged with Eclair Cookie's words, and his attention wandered when he approached the plaque in front of the display. Jay read the words quietly. He could tell it was written specifically by Eclair Cookie, as his voice came through even in the text.
"This moonstone holds the power of the crescent moon, emanating a soft glow. The larger and older the moonstone, the greater the energy it harbors, meaning that it can open a passageway to another world."
Jay's eyes widened in surprise and his heart jumped into his throat as the information sunk in.
"Eclair!" He shouted, interrupting the lecture.
"Yes? Do you have a question, Baker?" Eclair Cookie replied calmly, though he seemed displeased with suddenly being cut off.
"Is it true that the Moonstone can open a door to another world?" Jay questioned urgently.
"Oh, you're interested in that?" Eclair said. "Well, smaller pieces of moonstone have been used in teleportation and spells, but it remains to be seen how reliable they are." He explained.   
Jay turned to face Eclair Cookie, his expression serious. 
"So, it could be possible to open a portal to my world using the NightSky Moonstone then?" He asked. Eclair Cookie's heart jumped into his throat at the mere suggestion. For once during that day, Eclair Cookie struggled to come up with an answer to Jay's question.
"I... I, um," He stammered. Eclair cleared his throat slightly to compose himself and he fixed his hat nervously. "I... I don't believe so. The NightSky Moonstone is undoubtedly powerful, yes, but it alone wouldn't be able to achieve something like that." He said quietly. Jay stared at Eclair Cookie for a moment, studying him. The historian swallowed hard, his nerves growing tense as Jay approached him with a stone-cold expression. Despite Eclair Cookie being much taller than Jay, he still found himself intimidated by the Baker's piercing stare. Eclair tried to avoid Jay's gaze as best as he could, knowing full well that he was trying to probe for more information. He couldn't let anything slip.
"Eclair Cookie," Jay said seriously, "about the Portal that brought me here, did you work on it?" He questioned bluntly. Eclair Cookie opened and closed his mouth like a fish pulled from the depths, gasping for breath; Jay's words seemed to catch Eclair off guard.
"I- I'm a scholar and a historian, Baker. I don't know anything about this... portal, you speak of." Eclair Cookie replied coolly. Jay narrowed his eyes at him slightly.
"Are you lying to me?" He asked pointedly. Sugar sweat ran down the back of Eclair Cookie's neck.
"No, of course not, Baker." He said. Jay eyed Eclair Cookie for a moment before he turned away and faced the NightSky Moonstone exhibit.
"Maybe alone it couldn't, but there could be a way to harness its power with magichanical technology." Jay mused to himself. Eclair Cookie began to panic. This wasn't good, he had to put an end to this. He had to distract Jay somehow.
"Baker, the NightSky Moonstone is a precious relic of my museum, and as its curator, I cannot allow it, or any other relic, to be used for any kind of experiment." Eclair Cookie said firmly. 
Eclair feared Jay would be upset with him when he didn't respond, and the silence between them stretched into a tense awkwardness. However, Jay's shoulders slumped as he turned to face Eclair Cookie, his eyes filled with sadness and desperation. Jay suddenly grabbed Eclair's hands and squeezed them, gazing into the historian's eyes with such intensity that Eclair Cookie nearly crumpled beneath his gaze.
"Please, Eclair Cookie. I... I don't belong here! Please, you need to help me," Jay begged.
"B-Baker, there's nothing I can do..." Eclair Cookie said uncertainly.
"Eclair, imagine if you were suddenly taken away from everything you cared about— your friends, your family, even your museum. It would hurt, and you would miss them, right?" Jay continued imploringly, taking Eclair Cookie aback. "I have to get back to my life. Please, I'm begging you. Please help me," Jay pleaded.
"Baker, I-I..." Eclair Cookie trailed off nervously.
"I'll do anything you want, please. I-I don't know what else to do." Jay said desperately, his eyes beginning to fill with tears. Seeing Eclair Cookie's stunned expression caused Jay's heart to fill with dread, and he felt his hope begin to fade. He released the historian's hands and hung his head, sniffling pitifully, quickly wiping the tears from his eyes.
This was torture for Eclair Cookie. Seeing his Baker so upset and distressed made his heart ache like it was being torn in two, and he wanted nothing more than to take his pain away in any way he could.
Eclair Cookie swallowed thickly and bit his lip slightly.
"Ok... I'll do what I can to help." He agreed reluctantly. Jay lifted his head in surprise and stared wide-eyed at Eclair Cookie.
"Really?! Oh, thank you, Eclair Cookie! Thank you!" Jay gasped, his heart soaring with relief. He joyfully threw his arms around the historian and hugged him tightly. Eclair Cookie stiffened slightly at Jay's sudden outburst, and his face turned red. When Jay pulled away, Eclair quickly composed himself and readjusted his monocle.
"I promise that whenever I have free time, I'll come back to Parfaedia to work with you on the portal. I'll even recruit other Cookies to help!" Jay said excitedly. Eclair Cookie remained silent. He nodded and smiled weakly.
The thought of the Baker leaving to return to his own world mortified Eclair Cookie. He never wanted the Baker to leave them again, and agreeing to help him build a portal was a mistake. But... having Jay spend all his free time with him was a fortunate upside that Eclair couldn't resist, even if Jay somehow succeeded in creating another portal.
Jay lightly gripped Eclair Cookie's arms, and his face became serious as he stared into the taller Cookie's eyes.
"Eclair, you can't tell anyone about this." Jay said, "Especially not Pure Vanilla Cookie." He added solemnly. Eclair Cookie frowned slightly.
"I... promise. I won't tell a soul." He said hesitantly. Jay smiled slightly, and Eclair Cookie felt a wave of satisfaction at seeing his Baker happy again. Now they shared a secret that tethered them together. 
Eclair Cookie couldn't deny the allure of having this bond with the Baker that no one else had. With such a feeling, he could understand why some Cookies would go to great lengths to do whatever they could to gain his affection. And the kinds of acts they would commit in his name.
Eclair Cookie cleared his throat to clear the air and get them back on track.
"Well, now that's decided, we better get moving so we're not late for our next appointment." He said nonchalantly. Jay blinked in confusion, and before he knew it, Eclair Cookie spun him around and began to guide him out of the room.
"Wha-? Appointment? What appointment?" He asked in surprise.
"I've scheduled an acclaimed painter to come and paint your portrait so I can display it in the museum," Eclair Cookie cheerfully explained. Jay's heart jumped and he felt himself begin to sweat nervously. He had not expected this and felt underdressed for such an occasion, if he had known ahead of time Jay would have put more care into his appearance.
"A portrait? B-But I'm not-" Jay tried to protest, but Eclair Cookie hushed him.
"Now, now, there's nothing to worry about! You look very handsome already, so there's no reason to fret over your appearance." He insisted. Jay felt a warm blush rise to his cheeks as Eclair Cookie guided him through the museum to a secluded area in the back, away from the public eye. Eclair Cookie opened the door to his office, a sophisticated but cozy study filled with antique furniture fit the historian's tastes and personality perfectly. 
The back wall behind Eclair Cookie's desk was lined with tall bookcases, filled to the brim with an array of old, well cared for books. The walls around the room were adorned with a collection of old photographs and paintings. Artifacts were displayed everywhere, all from Eclair Cookie's private collection.   
At the far end of the room, a small stage backdrop was placed behind an ornately decorated array surrounding a cozy chair. With fake flowers and gilded leaves, it looked like a set waiting for royalty, not someone as plain looking as Jay. 
Shuffling within this setup was a Cookie, diligently and carefully preparing their easel and setting out an array of vibrant paints, and to Jay's surprise, a block of butter.
The painter turned when they heard the door open, and a wide, excited smile spread across their face. 
"Baker, this is the painter I hired, Butter Pretzel Cookie." Eclair Cookie introduced them. Jay waved politely.
"Nice to meet you." He said. Butter Pretzel Cookie quickly ran up to them and gave Jay a firm handshake.
"Baker, it's great to meet you finally. I'm honored to be able to paint your portrait! I promise I'll make it a masterpiece!" She said eagerly. Jay let out a quiet sigh and chuckled nervously.
"Oh, thanks for being here." He replied politely. 
Jay began to absentmindedly smooth out the creases in his shirt and mess with his hair as Eclair Cookie guided him to sit in the chair in front of the backdrop.
"Okay, now get comfortable in whatever pose you want, and we can start," Butter Pretzel Cookie instructed. Jay nodded thoughtfully, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back in the cushy chair, resting his chin on his hand. Butter Pretzel Cookie rubbed her chin pensively as she studied the pose.
"Hmmm... Baker, could you turn your head a bit to the right?" she said. Jay followed her instructions and slowly turned his head to look at Eclair Cookie, who was seated at his desk. Suddenly, Butter Pretzel Cookie interrupted him with a sputter. "There! Perfect. Stay just like that. Now, keep looking off to the right and don't move," she directed as she disappeared behind the large canvas with her palette knife in hand.
As Butter Pretzel Cookie worked, the sound of her palette knife scraping the canvas and her muttering to herself filled the otherwise quiet room. Jay tried to relax his body so he wouldn't grow stiff. He knew he shouldn’t ask a painter how long the process would take, especially since Butter Pretzel seemed focused on making it perfect. But he wanted at least a rough estimate to know how long he would need to maintain this position.
Jay passed the time by trying to read the titles printed on the spines of the books on Eclair Cookie's bookshelf and studying the patterns on the royal green wallpaper. Eclair Cookie sat at his desk, diligently writing on a long scroll while stealing glances at Jay from time to time. It wasn't hard to miss Eclair Cookie admiring him during his work, even though Jay made an effort to avoid staring at him.
It felt like two hours had passed, though Jay wasn't entirely sure. But he was already beginning to feel stiff, and his leg was going numb.
"Butter Pretzel Cookie? How long until you're done?" Jay asked hesitantly, grimacing at the cold feeling of pins and needles shooting through his leg. Butter Pretzel Cookie leaned past the edge of the canvas, though her eyes were still glued to her work. Her face and apron were dirty, with paint streaks and smears of butter covering both.
"I've got a good flow going, so it should be at least another 2-4 hours before I can call it finished." She replied thoughtfully.
"Another 2-4 hours?!" Jay whined.
"Don't worry, Baker. I'm sure Butter Pretzel Cookie will let you take breaks in between." Eclair Cookie reassured.
"No! I've gotten so inspired, I can't possibly stop and lose my focus now!" Butter Pretzel Cookie protested. Jay groaned. If they stopped it would probably take longer to finish.
"It's... it's alright. I can keep going." He sighed.
"Alright, thanks, Baker! I knew you would understand my artistic process." Butter Pretzel Cookie grinned happily. 
After spending hours in the same pose, Jay counted the seconds as they slowly ticked by. Butter Pretzel Cookie added the finishing touch to her painting with a final flip of her palette knife. She stepped back and took in the whole piece thoughtfully, looking for any tiny thing she could add. But when Butter Pretzel Cookie found nothing that needed improvement, she wiped the sweat from her brow and grinned in satisfaction.
"Done! Alright, Baker, you can move now." She said. Jay groaned loudly as he let his body relax and began to stretch his legs. The pins and needles went from a mild tingling to a fiery, painful stabbing sensation through both of his legs. Despite having no bones, Jay felt incredibly stiff.
"Ow, ow, ow..." He whimpered. As Jay attempted to regain feeling in his legs, Eclair Cookie rushed around his desk to inspect Butter Pretzel Cookie's completed painting.
"Oh my..." Eclair Cookie said in surprise.
"This has to be one of the finest pieces I've ever created! And it's of the Baker no less." Butter Pretzel Cookie said proudly. Jay perked up slightly at their conversation while he rubbed his leg to get the jam flowing.
Surely, Butter Pretzel Cookie had to be exaggerating.
"Baker, you must see this piece." Eclair Cookie urged.
"Come take a look! I need to get your reaction to it." Butter Pretzel Cookie said excitedly. Jay pulled himself out of the chair, the pain thankfully subsiding to a dull tingling, and wobbled over to the front of the easel. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the full painting. Butter Pretzel Cookie stood behind him proudly, arms folded across her chest, beaming.
It was now very clear to Jay why Butter Pretzel Cookie was an acclaimed artist. He hadn't known what to expect, especially since he didn't consider himself very interesting to look at. However, seeing himself portrayed by Butter Pretzel Cookie's brush told a completely different story, showcasing him in a light that washed away his mundaneness. The unconventional combination of butter and paint nearly brought the portrait to life. The golden butter added an ethereal quality that contrasted the rich, dark browns of the background, giving a sense of movement and vibrancy that captivated the eye.
Like when Jay discovered the statue depicting his human self behind the cafe, he was at a loss for words. Seeing himself being portrayed with clear reverence still felt somewhat unnerving, especially since this painting was set to be displayed in the museum later. 
Another detail in the painting caught Jay's eye. This was the second time he had seen this symbol; the first time, it was carved behind his head on the stone sculpture. It was a simple rectangle with lines coming off it. It almost looked like it was supposed to represent an angelic halo with shining rays of light radiating outward. 
Two times was a pattern, and Jay could guess that this emblem was some sort of iconography that the Cookies had developed around him.
"So...? What do you think, Baker?" Butter Pretzel Cookie said eagerly. Jay shook himself from his thoughts.
"I-I... honestly I'm speechless. I... I don't know what to say. It's incredible." He breathed. Butter Pretzel Cookie grinned, she puffed out her chest as she swelled with pride. Jay was genuinely impressed that such an amazing could come from him being used as the subject.
"You've done fantastic work, Butter Pretzel Cookie." Eclair Cookie praised. "I can't wait to hang this in the museum and begin the new Baker exhibit." He said happily. Jay did a double take and he stared at Eclair Cookie in disbelief.
"Hold on-" He began to speak up, but Butter Pretzel Cookie interrupted him.
"Well... uh, I can't give you this painting. It's one of my best pieces, and I've grown pretty attached to it. But I can make a copy of it for you later." She reasoned. Butter Pretzel Cookie's eyes glided over the portrait slowly, taking in the details all over again. The Baker's serene but almost indifferent expression as he gazed away from the viewer to something unseen off the edge of the canvas. Butter Pretzel Cookie gulped. Though she had painted it, she could look at this portrait for hours. 
Eclair Cookie turned to the artist looking almost offended, his brows knitted together in a furrow.
"What? But that is not what we had agreed upon!" he protested. I can't have a copy or replica in my museum. It must be the original!" Eclair Cookie argued. Butter Pretzel Cookie's lips pursed into a thin line, and she pouted angrily.
"This is my work, and as its artist, I have the final say on what is done with it and whether it's displayed!" She huffed.
"I paid all your fees for you to be here today! As an artist, you should listen to your clients and not go back on deals!" Eclair Cookie shouted. Jay stared wide-eyed, his gaze darting between the two Cookies as they heatedly argued in front of him. Taking a quiet step back, he cautiously tiptoed to the door and slipped out of the room. Neither of the Cookies, too deep in their disagreement, seemed to notice him leave. 
Even with the door closed, he could still hear the fierce debate through the thick wood. Jay hadn’t realized it, but his heart was pounding in his ears. The shouting match inside suddenly quieted down, and Jay took a cautious step away from the door when he heard stomping footsteps approach. Eclair Cookie swung the door open and angrily slammed it shut behind him, his face red and still clearly heated.
"Baker-" Eclair Cookie huffed as he tried to regain his composure, he adjusted his monocle and fixed his long, blonde hair to soothe himself. "I'm so, so terribly sorry you had to witness that." He apologized.
"Are... you ok?" Jay asked in concern. Eclair Cookie nodded and brushed away his concern with a flick of his hand.
"Yes... I'm fine. No need to worry, Baker." He reassured. Eclair Cookie reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch to glance at the time. He frowned. "I've kept you over our allotted time by half an hour. I apologize for that." Eclair muttered.
"It's alright," Jay replied a little awkwardly. "Um, so... what about the painting?" He asked hesitantly. Eclair Cookie made a sour face, and before he could answer, Butter Pretzel Cookie opened the door to Eclair's office and stormed out, all her supplies under her arm. She smiled at Jay but ignored Eclair Cookie. Once she was gone, Eclair sighed heavily.
"It's something I will have to solve another day." He said simply.
"Geez... I'm sorry all that happened." Jay mumbled, scratching his neck awkwardly.
"It's not your fault, Baker. Please don't worry about it." Eclair Cookie assured Jay with a smile. He smiled back, looking around to make sure they were alone.
"Eclair, let's keep in touch about the portal, ok? I'll call you once I'm back in my kingdom." Jay whispered. Eclair Cookie's face fell slightly.
"Ah... right." He nodded.
They said their goodbyes, their promise lingering heavily in the air. Jay left the Parfaedia museum, and Eclair Cookie felt the weight of his consciousness pressing down on him. The museum was silent; its usually bustling halls, filled with patrons exploring the relics, were now empty. Eclair Cookie had closed the museum for the day to ensure he and Jay could spend all day together in the comfort of complete privacy.
Eclair Cookie retreated into his study and sat heavily at his desk. The portrait of the Baker was gone, and now he had nothing to ease his weariness. He glanced at the phone.
Eclair Cookie felt his heart twist, but he knew that it must be done. He picked up the old, antique phone, and entered the numbers on the rotary dial pad. The phone rang, and after a moment it connected.
"Hello?" Pure Vanilla Cookie answered. Eclair Cookie swallowed nervously. May the Baker forgive his betrayal.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie, this is Eclair Cookie from the Parfaedia museum." He said.
"Oh, Eclair Cookie, how are you?" Pure Vanilla Cookie replied pleasantly. "What can I do for you?" He asked.
"It's about the Baker. Today on our date he-" Eclair Cookie began, but he jumped when Pure Vanilla Cookie nearly shouted in his ear.
"Is everything alright? Did something happen to the Baker?" Pure Vanilla Cookie said quickly in concern.
"No, no, the Baker is fine. He just left," Eclair Cookie reassured. He paused, feeling a lump grow in his throat. "But today, the Baker mentioned the possibility of building a portal back to his world and directly asked me if he could use a relic to achieve it," He confessed.
"What?!" The Ancient Cookie gasped.
"Please, Pure Vanilla Cookie, what do I do?!" Eclair Cookie pleaded. There was a short silence from the other end of the line, but he could hear muffled talking.
"What did you tell the Baker?" Pure Vanilla asked seriously. Eclair Cookie gulped, and he prayed that the Ancient wouldn't be upset with him. Pure Vanilla Cookie was incredibly protective of the Baker.
"I... agreed to help him build the portal." Eclair Cookie admitted ashamedly. The line went dead silent, and Eclair Cookie's heart squeezed with anxiety before Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke again quietly.
"And are you planning to do exactly that?" Pure Vanilla Cookie pressed sharply. The shadows in the room felt like they would swallow Eclair Cookie whole as he began to panic. His grip on the phone was deathly, and he placed his other hand on the transceiver to keep it steady in his shaking hand.
"I-I'm sorry... I-I had no choice. The Baker was so desperate, and seeing him in so much pain, I couldn't help but want to do anything to ease his suffering!" Eclair Cookie explained desperately.
Pure Vanilla Cookie took a deep breath and sighed a bit sadly.
"I understand your position, Eclair Cookie. Resisting the Baker can be very hard." He said sympathetically. Eclair Cookie released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and slumped forward against his desk in relief.
"How should we handle this, Pure Vanilla Cookie?" Eclair asked as he ran his hand through his hair. The Ancient Cookie was quiet for a moment, thinking to himself.
"You may continue with the plan to create a portal with the Baker." Pure Vanilla Cookie decided.
"What?! But Pure Vanilla Cookie, are sure this is a wise decision?" Eclair Cookie replied in shock.
"There's nothing to worry about. You need to ensure this project fails. You have to stall the Baker for as long as possible until he gives up," Pure Vanilla instructed.
"You mean... sabotage?" Eclair Cookie said incredulously.
"Yes. The Baker just... needs to get it out of his system. Once he realizes there's no way back, he will settle here and stay with us forever." Pure Vanilla Cookie replied calmly.
"Yes... yes, that's right." Eclair Cookie agreed and nodded along eagerly.
"We can discuss this further in person, I am currently on my way to Parfaedia." Pure Vanilla said.
"Oh? What brings you to Parfaedia, Pure Vanilla Cookie?" The historian asked curiously.
"I've heard that numerous statues of the Baker have appeared in the city seemingly overnight. Have you seen any of these statues, Eclair Cookie?" The Ancient Cookie questioned.
"I've seen one, yes. There have been rumours going around that they have been lurking in the city, but I'm surprised they would make such an open move by erecting statues of the Baker all over Parfaedia." Eclair Cookie said thoughtfully, "Though it is a bit troubling, I can't confirm whether the rumours are true." He sighed.
"It is very troubling." Pure Vanilla Cookie said worriedly. "As soon as I arrive, we're going to have to tear them down. I hope the Baker hasn't encountered one yet." He frowned. Eclair Cookie twirled a lock of his long, blonde hair as he remembered one of the magnificent stone sculptures depicting the Baker's divine form. The very one he had first come to them in.
"It's such a shame they have to be destroyed..." He lamented. "I would love to preserve one... erm, for the museum, of course!" Eclair Cookie said quickly, grinning awkwardly in embarrassment. After the fight with Butter Pretzel Cookie, a statue of the Baker would make a fitting replacement for the portrait.
"I would advise against it, Eclair Cookie." Pure Vanilla Cookie cautioned. "If we are to help the Baker settle properly, we must do everything we can to erase all traces of his old life. Otherwise, it won't work." He said adamantly.
Pure Vanilla Cookie glanced out the windows on the moonbathed landscape as it rolled by the airship. The sturdy windows shook slightly from the wind. He nodded quietly as he listened to Eclair Cookie on the other end of the line.
"Yes, that's right," Pure Vanilla said. "I've already contacted someone who can replace them." He informed. Pure Vanilla Cookie paused.
"Thank you for looking after the Baker, I will talk to you soon once I land in Parfaedia. Goodbye." He said politely.
Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled the mobile phone away from his ear to squint at the screen. He wasn't used to the new technology of this era that was popular with young Cookies, Pure Vanilla still preferred letter writing. After fiddling with the buttons on the digital screen, he successfully ended the call and sighed quietly to himself.
This was for the Baker's own good.

Chapter Text

The townhouse appeared through the cab window as the car slowed beside the sidewalk. Jay gazed at the building, searching for a trace of any damage from the previous night, but the house looked like it was brand new without a scratch on it. The setting sun reflected off the pristine windows.
"Here we are, Baker!" The older Cookie chirped. "Let me help you with your bags." He offered.
"Oh, wait, let me get you what I owe you," Jay mumbled, quickly rummaging through his pocket for his wallet.
"No, no, Baker. There's no need-" The Cabby began, but Jay cut him off by grabbing his hand and pushing the gold coins into his open palm.
"Here you go. Thanks for the ride." Jay said politely with a smile. He opened the car door and shuffled out onto the sidewalk. The trunk popped open when Jay got to the back of the cab, and the Cab Cookie quickly followed.
"Well, at least let me still help ya." He chuckled. Jay wanted to keep it brief but polite. He laughed lightly and nodded.
"Thank you." He replied.
Taking a bag in each hand, Jay shuffled across the small, compact garden to the cobblestone stoop. The Cabby followed right behind him and set the bags down briefly on the garden stone path while Jay fished out his keys. Jay was keenly aware the Cab Cookie was staring at him as he unlocked the door.
"Thanks again for helping with my bags," he said to cut through the heavy silence. The lock clicked, and Jay pushed the door open with his foot. He straightened up with his bags in hand and gave the cab driver a smile and nod to dismiss him.
"Oh, it's no problem lad. Allow me!" The cab driver grinned cheerfully. Before Jay could utter a word to stop him, he waltzed right inside the door to deposit the shopping bags in the kitchen. Jay closed his mouth as the words of protest died in his throat, a grimace of annoyance thinning his mouth into a line. He sighed quietly and headed inside with the rest of the bags.
The cabby was glancing around curiously as he carefully set the shopping bags on the counter.
"The Council got this place cleaned up real quick from last night's incident, eh? Good thing, too, would hate to see a pretty thing like you without a place to stay." The Cab Cookie chuckled. Jay nodded awkwardly as he did his best to avoid direct eye contact, his smile straining further. He needed out of this conversation right now.
"Uh, oh yeah. They did a great job." Jay said, "But I won't take up any more of your time, you're probably busy. Thanks for helping with my bags!" He chirped.
"Of course Baker, it was my pleasure." The Cabby replied. Jay tipped him some extra gold and quickly sent him on his way.
Once the Cab driver was out the door, Jay locked the deadbolt with a sigh of relief. 
Finally, he was alone.
Jay began to go through his shopping bags and sort what he bought. He had gotten a few magic books to help him study. Going to a magic school to learn was far too big of a commitment, and he couldn't afford to wait an entire school year. Among the many spell books, Jay also bought a variety of souvenirs for some of the castle staff. Choco Lava Cake, Persimmon, and Saltwater Taffy Cookie always worked so hard around the castle and looked after him. He wanted to thank them.
Jay pushed aside some delicate tissue paper and found the last gift he bought. At the sight of it, his heart sank slightly. It was a small flowerpot shaped like a bear jelly. When Jay saw it on the shelf, his mind went to Pure Vanilla Cookie, and he couldn't stop himself from snatching up the plant pot at the thought of seeing Vanilla's smile when he gave it to him. It was stupid to think that Jay was still trying to win his heart because he knew that it was fruitless. But maybe they could still be friends.
Jay carefully wrapped the planter pot in tissue paper and gently placed it back into the bag of souvenirs. A breeze brushed across his face, and he let out a quiet sigh. As he looked up, he felt a twist in his stomach when he realized the window in the living room was open. Jay looked around suddenly in a panic. He rushed over and closed it, locking it up tight.
How long had that window been open?
Jay tried not to let the paranoid thoughts get to him immediately. He couldn't remember the window being open when he came back, maybe that cab driver had opened it when he wasn't looking. Or the clean-up crew that Almond Cookie called last night who fixed the townhouse could have left it open by accident, it was still pretty dusty from all the construction.
Jay took a deep breath and calmed his racing heart. Everything was fine, and he was okay. 
He grabbed the bags with the spell books and hauled them up the old, wooden stairs, the planks squeaking under his weight.
The bedroom was completely restored to its former glory. Jay's things were disorganized from what he remembered, and that unnerved him, but he reminded himself that the clean-up crew probably had to move a lot of things so it made sense for things to be a little out of order. Jay searched through his belongings to be sure everything was accounted for. He found his journal neatly sitting on the desk, waiting for him, and thankfully it was unharmed. Picking the book up and quickly flipping through the pages, Jay confirmed it was just as he left it. Looking at all the blank pages and considering what kind of research he was going to fill this journal with, Jay should be much more careful with it. He should hide it away when he wasn't using it to prevent any Cookie from reading it.
Jay slipped his journal into his bag and began to tidy up the room. As Jay emptied his pockets of his keys and wallet, his hand brushed against something hard and plastic. He pulled out the charm he had gotten from Marocchino Cookie and smiled happily. Jay pulled his shoulder bag towards him from where he sat on the floor and clipped the charm to the metal buckle of the bag.
"There!" Jay said cheerfully. It matched his bag perfectly.
While Jay was going through and organizing his things, he refolded his clothing from his suitcase and discovered that one of his shirts he had worn was missing. Hoping it was simply misplaced during the chaos of his magical incident, Jay searched the room for it, but it was nowhere to be found. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions about theft, but he had to confront the reality that the Cookies didn’t treat him like everyone else. To them, he was a celebrity— a god to some. So, naturally, if given the chance, some Cookies might steal even his dirty laundry. The thought made him feel queasy, thinking what someone would do with his used clothing.
As Jay put his belongings away, he briefly considered calling Almond Cookie to report the missing shirt since he had the detective's number. However, he didn't want to bother him with something so petty, so he decided it was better to let it go this time. A single lost shirt wasn't worth the trouble.
The phone on the nightstand rang, cutting the silence and nearly making Jay jump out of his dough.
Jay paused and stared at the old-fashioned rotary phone for a second. Who on Earthbread could be calling him right now?
He hesitantly picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" Jay said uncertainly.
"Baker?" Pure Vanilla Cookie's voice answered. All at once, Jay's heart leapt into his throat and fluttered like a trapped bird.
"Vanilla!" He exclaimed happily before he could stop himself. Jay cringed inwardly at how easily Pure Vanilla Cookie made him melt like putty in his hand.
"Hello, my dear, how is your stay in Parfaedia going? Are you enjoying yourself?" Pure Vanilla Cookie asked sweetly.
"Y-Yeah! But... uh, how did you know where I was staying?" Jay questioned.
"I planned everything with the Parfaedia Council, to ensure you would have a pleasant and relaxing trip," Vanilla replied, the smile in his voice evident.
"Oh... yeah, uh, d-duh. Makes sense." Jay muttered in embarrassment, he smacked his head at his mistake. Pure Vanilla Cookie laughed, and the sound was so warm and light it made Jay feel like he was walking on air.
"Tell me, Baker, how have your play dates been? Did you do anything exciting? Please, I would love to hear all about your stay so far!" Pure Vanilla encouraged.
"Oh yeah, they've been a lot of fun so far!" Jay replied happily. "Cream Puff Cookie and Latte Cookie taught me a lot about magic, and my time with Almond was..." Jay paused, becoming a little bashful. He blushed. "I-It was a lot of fun." He finished awkwardly.
"I see, you sound busy! I'm glad you're having a good time." Pure Vanilla Cookie said warmly. Jay laughed a little.
"Yeah, Latte Cookie even said I should join the Parfaedia Institute." He added.
"Oh, are you interested in magic, Baker?" Pure Vanilla asked curiously.
"I- Well..." Jay hesitated. Being confronted with the question made Jay second guess himself. The goal he intended to use this magic for was no doubt going to be difficult, so maybe he would need more instruction than only the guidance a book could provide. The magic he would need to wield would have to be very powerful, and he would have to be powerful in turn. 
Could he really accomplish something like that on his own?
"Yeah, it does!" Jay piped up when he realized the stretching silence. "I'm tempted to take the offer b-but... I'm not so sure. I was able to cast one spell on my own, but... I don't know." He sighed uncertainly.
"Baker, I am so proud of you!" Pure Vanilla Cookie praised. Jay blushed and scratched at his neck.
"Its not that big of a deal." He muttered sheepishly. Technically, he didn't even successfully cast a real spell. Just a doozy of a miscast. But he wasn't going to mention that to Vanilla.
"Darling, all I want for you is to be happy and fulfilled. If you want to do something, I want you to pursue it. I will be behind you the whole way, supporting you in any way I can." Pure Vanilla Cookie said reassuringly. Jay was so taken aback that he fell silent for a moment. He blinked rapidly, his eyes becoming misty.
Jay quickly rubbed his eyes and sat down slowly on the edge of the bed.
"I..." He cleared his throat and steadied his shaking voice. "I will need to think about it a little more." He said. "I still need to decide what kind of magic I want to study anyway." Jay chuckled.
"I am so pleased to hear that, Baker." Vanilla said happily. "If you need any tutoring, I will be more than happy to help. I think you would be a natural at White Magic." He suggested.
"R-Really?" Jay asked in surprise.
"Of course! You have so much love for all Cookies in this world, your healing abilities would be quite strong." Pure Vanilla Cookie replied warmly. At that thought, Marocchino Cookie popped into Jay's mind.
"Oh! Speaking of... Vanilla, I want to ask your opinion on something." Jay began.
"Yes? What is it, dearest?" Pure Vanilla asked.
"Well... I'm not sure if this would be a good idea or if it would be weird. But I was thinking of maybe designing and making plushies of myself to sell to Cookies. Since I can't be with everyone all the time, I think it would be help everyone feel a little less lonely." Jay said.
Pure Vanilla Cookie felt giddy at the idea. His Baker's kindness and love for all Cookies and his dedication to their happiness filled his heart with warmth.
"That's a wonderful idea, Baker." Pure Vanilla Cookie replied cheerfully.
"You think so? It's not too weird?" Jay said nervously.
"Of course not, I think it is a splendid idea. It will make so many Cookies happy!" Pure Vanilla reassured gently.
There were already many plush versions of the Baker out there that were made en-masse due to the high demand, Pure Vanilla Cookie had a few himself, but plushies made and endorsed by the Baker himself would only make it that more special.
Jay laughed and opened his mouth to reply when he heard it.
The old wooden staircase outside the room creaked. He halted and held his breath for a second, almost sure he had imagined it. Before he heard it again.

Creak.

Jay's mind hit an impassible wall of fear that was created by that little sound. Like a prey animal, he froze and stared at the wall, just waiting to hear another sound, as if not acknowledging it directly would make it not true.
The silence stretched on.
"Baker? Is something wrong? Hello?" Pure Vanilla Cookie asked in confusion. His voice sounded far away like he was at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
Too scared to let himself hang in limbo any longer, Jay turned slowly to the bedroom door and his jam ran through his veins like ice.
A pale face stared at him through the crack in the door.
Their eyes locked. Jay knew it saw him and that it knew he saw it, but Jay was paralyzed with the phone receiver gripped in his hand.
"Darling? Are you still there?" Vanilla called worriedly.
With the speed of a vicious predator, the assailant pounced, slamming the door open and lunging at Jay.
Jay screamed as the masked Cookie crashed against him and he was hurled to the ground. The lamp and rotary phone on the nightstand table were slammed to the floor in a chaotic mess. His mind finally kicked into gear and Jay fought like his life depended on it, he thrashed and snapped as adrenaline coursed through him. The masked Cookie wrestled to subdue Jay with a length of rope and struggled to get it around his hands.
Without thinking, Jay strained for anything in arms reach. He felt something hard and plastic under his hand, and with all his strength, smashed it against the head of the assailant.
The masked Cookie blocked the attack only enough that it didn't immediately knock them out. Jay shoved the Cookie off him while they reeled and made a break for the door, but the attacker grabbed his foot and yanked him back down. Jay was slammed to the wooden floorboards and all the air was knocked from his lungs. The mask Cookie jumped on him, trying to pin him down. Jay wrestled with the assailant and in the fury, grabbed their arm and bit down as hard as he could. The mask Cookie suddenly went rigid and gasped, in a sound that could only be described as ecstasy.
There was a loud pop, and the sound of shattering glass, followed by the room being plunged into darkness. The masked attacker was suddenly ripped from Jay's grasp and flung against the desk by someone else. Jay scooted back fearfully until his back hit the wall. He watched as hazy shapes fought against each other in the dark. The adrenaline running through Jay began to wear off, his whole body started to ache, and he felt like a wounded animal.
"Help!! Someone help!" Jay yelled to stop the madness. His outcry momentarily distracted the second attacker who had saved him, it was enough for the masked Cookie to grab them and they struggled against each other.
There was a glint of metal against the moonlight.
Two battled and tumbled down the stairs where the fight continued out of sight, but Jay could clearly hear the scuffle and the breaking of glass and furniture. Jay's heartbeat felt like a jackhammer on his chest. He groped around frantically in the dark for the rotary phone. He had to call Almond Cookie. From the sparse moonlight, Jay located the phone, but in his battle to survive, he had ripped the cord clean out of the wall. The landline was useless.  
The panic rose in Jay's throat, and only got worse when he couldn't hear any commotion from downstairs. Jay scrambled to his feet and slammed the door shut, he grabbed the desk and hauled it in front of the bedroom door before he ran to the closet to hide.
Jay squeezed himself into the corner, curled up, hugging his knees to his chest, and waited. 
From outside, Jay could hear sirens blaring in the distance. He prayed the authorities were coming to save him and that they got here in time. The room was deathly silent.

Creak.

The stairs squeaked as someone ascended them. Jay held his hand over his mouth to contain a whimper fluttering in his chest, his eyes strained against the darkness.
Footsteps entered the room and walked around slowly, coming to a stop right in front of the closet door. A vague shape and presence hovered there. Even through the blackness, Jay could feel the eyes of a predator staring him down between the slots in the door. A flowery scent filled his senses.
In that moment he wished he knew magic and had a wand to defend himself.
The presence faded, and footsteps echoed against the wooden floor, retreating until they disappeared entirely. Everything was quiet. But Jay didn't dare move or make another sound until sirens drifted from right outside the bedroom and flashing lights circled the room. Heavy footfalls and boots stomped up the old stairs.
Jay knew rescue was here, but he was cemented to the spot. Feeling like he had woken up from a frightening nightmare and left wondering if it was actually all only a dream.
The bedroom door banged violently as the barricade was quickly shoved out of the way.
"Baker!" Almond Cookie shouted. Hearing Almond's voice snapped him out of it.
"In here! I'm in here!" Jay squeaked. The closet doors were ripped open to reveal Almond Cookie's haunted and stressed face. He didn't say a word, he grabbed Jay and dragged him into a tight hug. Jay wrapped his legs around Almond's waist and clung to him like a child. Finally feeling safe in Almond Cookie's embrace, he hiccuped, and wept into his chest.

The winds began to whip up as the last orange light of the setting sun peeked through the gathering clouds, the rumbling of thunder in the distance electrifying the already tense air.
Jay sat on the hood of a police cruiser, wearing Almond Cookie's jacket snugly around his shoulders. He bathed in the comforting scent of stale almonds and coffee to keep himself stable.
"Tell me what happened, Baker," Almond said gently. Jay looked up at the detective, eyes holding faraway and tired gaze. He took a deep, shuddering breath.
"I-It all happened so fast..." He muttered. "I... I was just on the phone when I heard something, and when I looked there was a-a Cookie all in white with a white mask spying on me." Jay recounted timidly.
"What else can you tell us, Baker?" Walnut Cookie questioned. Almond Cookie did a double take, and swiftly ushered his daughter away from the crime scene with a quick "Excuse us."
Once a good distance away from the townhouse, Almond folded his arms grumpily and stared down at Walnut Cookie with a deep frown.
"Walnut Cookie, I thought I told you to stay home." He huffed sternly.
"But the Baker needs help! I'm a detective too, I want to help." She piped up.
"I know you do, but you're too young for this kind of crime scene." Almond Cookie reasoned.
"I know I can help," Walnut Cookie begged as she tugged on her father's pant leg, giving him the biggest, most determined eyes she could muster. Almond Cookie sighed heavily, pinching his eyes shut for a moment. Even if he sent Walnut home with an escort, she would just come right back. She could be so troublesome, but she was a detective at heart.
"Fine, but be careful and be sure not to touch anything." He warned. Walnut Cookie smiled happily before quickly turning serious and marched back to Jay by Almond Cookie's side.
Jay looked up blankly from the ground when Almond and Walnut Cookie approached him. 
"You said there were two suspects, Baker. Is that correct?" Walnut Cookie asked. Jay nodded.
"After the masked Cookie attacked me, the second Cookie came in and started fighting them," Jay said. Almond pulled out his notebook and began scribbling down the statement.
"Did you get a good look at the second Cookie?" Almond Cookie questioned. Jay shook his head guiltily.
"It was too dark." He mumbled. The slender detective finished writing down the last sentence and tapped the pen against the pad of paper with a bit of irritation. There wasn't a lot to go on.
"That will be all for now Baker, I'll be investigating the scene so you can wait in car for the time being." Almond Cookie said. "A paramedic will check you over." He added. Jay nodded absently.
Almond Cookie and Walnut Cookie walked to the stoop of the townhouse, Walnut having to run in short bursts to keep up with her father's long strides.
The inside of the house was trashed. Just from a quick glance, it was obvious a serious altercation between two armed assailants had taken place. But despite the level of damage, not much conclusive evidence was left behind by the perpetrators.
Windows were smashed in, one of the couches was a pile of splinters, and deep gashes in the walls from a bladed weapon. Almond Cookie carefully stepped over the remains of a broken chair and began his investigation, shuffling through the debris with cautious gloved hands. Walnut Cookie pulled out her magnifying glass and looked around under the table. The flower vase was smashed, and all of the flowers had been trampled, their petals scattered across the floor.
Walnut Cookie examined the petals of the destroyed bouquet thoroughly, her magnifying glass gliding over each potential clue with scrutiny. When she came to flower petal that was different from the rest.
"I found something! I found a clue!" Walnut Cookie shouted. Almond Cookie looked up from his dough printing work, and quickly came over. He gazed down a little perplexed at the shredded bouquet.
"What did you find?" Almond Cookie asked.
"Look at this flower petal," Walnut Cookie said, hovering her magnifying glass over it so Almond Cookie could see. "Its different than the rest!" She insisted. Almond crouched down on one knee, his expression deep in thought as he examined the evidence. Walnut Cookie pulled flower petals from each of the flowers with a pair of tweezers and laid them all out neatly, comparing them to the light purple one she had found.
"See, none of them match!" She said excitedly, "That means that where ever this petal came from, it was brought to the crime scene by one of the perpetrators." Walnut Cookie theorized.
"We don't know which of the stalkers it belongs to, but it is still a clue." Almond Cookie said coolly, but he smiled slightly and ruffled his daughter's curly hair. "Good work, Walnut Cookie." He praised. The young detective beamed with pride.
"See, I told you I could help! I'm a real detective!" Walnut Cookie cheered. 
Almond Cookie opened a small, clear evidence bag, and Walnut Cookie carefully dropped the purple petal with her tweezers into it. He zipped it securely and tucked it away into his pocket.
"I'll send this to the lab, and they'll be able to see what kind of ingredient it is." Almond Cookie mused.

The quickly dampening night air made Jay shiver violently, he pulled Almond's jacket tighter around him as he sat on the bumper of the ambulance and the paramedic looked him over. Besides a few tender bruises and some scrapes, Jay was mostly unharmed from the attack.
"Please move, I have to get through! Where is the Baker?" A worried voice called through the crowd. Jay's heart jumped at the sound of that sweet, delicate voice being carried on the wind, and he hopped off the ambulance with hope blooming in his heart as Pure Vanilla Cookie pushed his way to the front of the crowd. The Ancient Cookie ducked under the caution tape while the officers allowed him past and the other bystanders grumbled.
"Vanilla?" Jay said in confusion, his voice shaking slightly. Their eyes met, and Pure Vanilla Cookie ran to him, quickly enveloping Jay in his warm embrace.
"Oh, Baker, you're safe! I was so worried something terrible had happened to you." Vanilla sighed in relief, the corners of his eyes pricked with tears. Jay thought he was alright, but he began to tremble in Pure Vanilla's arms like a leaf in the wind despite the coat around his shoulders, and the attack he suffered only minutes before seemed more real than before. He clung to Pure Vanilla Cookie, tears welling in his eyes and flowing down his stinging cheeks. Jay sobbed into Vanilla's shoulder as the Ancient Cookie held him tenderly and soothed him gently. He caressed Jay's dark hair and kissed his tear-stained cheek lovingly.
"It's alright, my love, it's alright now. I'm here..." Pure Vanilla Cookie whispered. He pulled away after squeezing Jay tightly, and began to look over him for any injuries on his dough. 
"Are you alright, dearest? Are you hurt anywhere? I can heal you, don't worry." Vanilla fretted. Jay sniffled and dried his watering eyes. He caught Pure Vanilla's hovering hands and held them in his tightly.
"H-How... how did you get here so fast?" Jay asked, his voice wavering. Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled softly.
"As soon as I heard you being attacked over the phone, I called the Parfaedia authorities, and got on the fastest airship to get to you." He answered. Jay's deep brown eyes watered as Pure Vanilla Cookie caressed his cheek and dried the falling tears with his thumb.
"You... came all the way from the Vanilla Kingdom just for me?" He said hesitantly, his throat closing up as another sob escaped his lips.
"Of course, my precious Baker. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you." Vanilla breathed with adoration. Jay hiccuped, squeezing his eyes shut, more tears streaming down his flushed cheek. Pure Vanilla cradled Jay close to his chest again, allowing him to rest his head on his shoulder. The warmth and familiarity of Vanilla's hug felt comforting and the sobs wracking Jay's frame quieted until his breathing evened out. 
Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked as he noticed the bruises adorning Jay's neck and he pulled away momentarily to get a better look. He gripped Jay's chin gently and moved his head.
"Baker... did the Cookie who attacked you do this to you?" Vanilla questioned, the concern apparent in his face. Jay's eyes widened and he pulled out of Pure Vanilla Cookie's grip, looking embarrassed, his hand quickly going to cover them.
"Um, no." Jay replied awkwardly. "Its... i-it- those were from Almond Cookie." He confessed bashfully. Vanilla's mouth fell open in surprise slightly, but he quickly recovered.
"Well, I'm at least glad it wasn't from the Cookie who attacked you." He said in relief.
Pure Vanilla Cookie sat Jay down on the edge of the ambulance's stretcher space and his hands began to glide down his right leg slowly, his touch was warm and gentle, tracing the outlines of the bruises in detail. Each bruise and scratch he came to, he kissed gently, making them instantly disappear. Pure Vanilla Cookie came back to Jay's neck, saving the hickies for last. His fingers brushed Jay's dough lightly, and Jay shivered under his touch. He traced every bruise on Jay's neck with his lips, kissing the marks lovingly and lingering long enough to leave a tingling sensation in Jay's body. The hickies faded quickly under Pure Vanilla's attention. 
Once his dough was perfect and blemish free, Pure Vanilla continued to kiss Jay tenderly as his thumbs stroked across Jay's jawline soothingly. Jay tensed slightly as Pure Vanilla Cookie pressed his body against him and he gripped his shoulders as his kisses became more sensual. His eyes darted around, nervously glancing around at the gathered crowd and the officers standing guard, hoping no one was watching. A gasp escaped Jay suddenly when he felt Pure Vanilla suck and bite softly at his neck.
"V-Vanilla... what are you doing?" Jay whispered, his face flushing.
"I can't let Almond Cookie win, now can I?" Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled lightly. A strange feeling formed deep in Jay's stomach. While it was flattering, there was something that made him feel uncomfortable with it, especially so soon after he had been attacked. Such loving actions felt almost inappropriate. But Pure Vanilla Cookie had come all this way just for him, so Jay ignored the pit in his belly and kept quiet as Vanilla sucked deep, dark hickies into his dough.
Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled away from Jay's neck with a sly smile, happy with his work. Just then, Almond Cookie, followed by Walnut Cookie, stride up to the back to the ambulance. The tall detective briefly hesitated in surprise when his eyes met with Pure Vanilla's, but he continued and walked up to the pair.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie, I'm surprised to see you here." Almond Cookie commented.
"I was on the phone with the Baker when the attack occurred, and I rushed here as fast as I could." Pure Vanilla Cookie explained, his hand resting on Jay's knee.
"That's right, you called in the crime." Almond Cookie said. He turned his attention to Jay. "Are you alright? I hope you're injuries weren't too bad." He said in concern.
"I'm ok now, Vanilla helped with the healing." Jay answered, his eyes avoiding Almond Cookie's in embarrassment, and he pulled the coat up further to hide the newly made hickies. Almond Cookie smiled slightly, but his face turned serious again as Pure Vanilla Cookie addressed him.
"Almond Cookie, after what has happened tonight... I think it would be safer for the Baker to return to his kingdom for the time being." Pure Vanilla suggested quietly. Almond Cookie didn't respond for a moment, he didn't agree nor did he reject the idea.
"What? Is the Baker going to leave?!" Walnut Cookie piped up. The detective quickly hushed her, and sighed heavily.
"For the Baker's safety, I think that would be the best option." Almond Cookie answered firmly. Jay's eyes widened in surprise.
"Hang on, I'm ok to stay, really!" He interrupted. Pure Vanilla and Almond Cookie turned to Jay. Vanilla rubbed his knee soothingly.
"It would be safer for you back in your kingdom, at least until things settle down here and Almond Cookie catches the assailant." He advised. Jay frowned. He really didn't want to leave just yet, there was still more free magic lessons he could get from the Parfaedia Cookies. Jay couldn't commit to schooling, so getting some quick magic lessons was his best bet to help further his own solitary magic studies.
"I... I'm fine. I can stay with Almond, can't I?" Jay asked, glancing hopefully at the detective. Deep in his blue eyes, Jay could see the conflict of his heart and head engage.
Of course Almond Cookie wanted Jay to stay with him, but could he be so selfish, to ask him to stay in Parfaedia despite the danger? It was twice now that Almond Cookie felt he failed to protect Jay and he had gotten hurt because of it.
"Of course you can stay, Baker!" Walnut Cookie interrupted before her father could answer. The young Cookie hugged Almond's leg and looked up at him pleadingly. "Please, Dad, please! And I'll help too, so we can catch the Cookies who hurt the Baker and bring them to justice." She added.
Almond Cookie sighed, but smiled faintly.
"I promise I won't let anything like this happen again. I'll be taking every precaution this time. The Baker will be in safe hands." He promised solemnly, nodding at Pure Vanilla Cookie.
"Really, Almond? You're ok with it?" Jay said in surprise.
"Of course." Almond Cookie replied. 
"If this is what you want, Baker, then I'll support you. I'll always be a call away if you need me." Pure Vanilla said with a calm smile. He leaned in and pecked Jay on the cheek, surprising him. Jay blushed.
"Thanks Vanilla." He said, rubbing the spot where he kissed bashfully. "I just don't want to disappoint anyone, and there's a lot of things in Parfaedia I want to learn." Jay admitted.
"Even if you decided to leave Parfaedia, you wouldn't be disappointing anyone, Baker. Your safety is was matters most." Almond Cookie said.

A rumble of thunder drew the attention of the onlookers, everyone could feel the moister in the air that signalled rain was coming. The air was tense with the coming storm as Almond Cookie and the other detectives helped gather Jay's belongings from the scene and packed them into the waiting cruiser.
"Oh!" Jay exclaimed softly. "Vanilla, hang on!" He called. He raced to the open door of the squad car and swiped the bag.
"What is it, darling?" Pure Vanilla Cookie answered sweetly. Jay opened the bag excitedly only for his smile to drop, his eyes growing wide with disbelief. He frowned as he pulled a broken shard of the bear jelly planter from the bag. Jay was quiet for a moment as he stared at the broken gift.
"What is that?" Pure Vanilla Cookie asked.
"It was... supposed to be for you. I got you a gift, but it got smashed." Jay sighed heavily. "I'm so sorry, Nilla..." He apologized.
"Oh, Baker, it wasn't your fault," Vanilla said gently. "Here, let me see." He held out his hand and pulled his long sleeves back. Jay handed him the bag, and Pure Vanilla Cookie peeked inside. He shifted the pieces around for a moment, a faint smile on his lips.
"I'm so happy you got me a gift, my love. I love it." Vanilla contemplated the broken pieces of the planter as he examined them closely. "It means so much to me, and it would be a shame to throw it away. A little glue and it will be good as new!" He said cheerfully. Jay frowned.
"But you deserve something nice, not something..." He trailed off, his mind returning to that afternoon at the museum, his thoughts stuck on the white lily preserved perfectly in the case. Jay's gift was nothing in comparison to her. And it ended up smashed just like his love for Pure Vanilla Cookie. Like the bear jelly pot, it was useless to him.   
"Not something... broken." Jay finished bitterly. He related to the broken planter.
"It can be fixed." Pure Vanilla Cookie insisted. Jay pouted and shuffled in place uncomfortably, his eyes quickly drifting away from Pure Vanilla's kind and loving eyes.
"I guess." He muttered. Vanilla chuckled.
"This is fortuitous because I have a gift for you as well, Baker." He said warmly. Jay lifted his gaze to Pure Vanilla Cookie, a rush of surprise washing over him. His eyes widened in wonder, and his heart raced, touched by Pure Vanilla Cookie's thoughtfulness. There was a glow of warmth around them despite the cold weather and Jay didn't even notice the biting wind buffeting against him as Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled at him.
"What?" He echoed in surprise.
"It's a symbol of my love and affection for you." Vanilla breathed shyly.
Pure Vanilla Cookie reached into his large sleeve and from it pulled a single flower. Jay's heart fluttered at the romance of it all, but he was pierced by a stab of betrayal as he saw the white petals of a lily gleaming in the lamplight. A flower that was supposed to be a symbol of Vanilla's love for him was clearly meant for someone else.
Though Jay tried to disguise his hurt feelings, Pure Vanilla Cookie keenly could see a shift in his expression.
"Is something wrong, dearest? Don't you like it?" He asked in concern. Jay forced a smile filled with guilt, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. He reached for the offered flower but hesitated slightly when touching its slim stem.
"No, no. I love it, Nilla. Thank you." He lied. Pure Vanilla Cookie could see something was clearly bothering Jay, but despite being worried, he stayed quiet, not wanting to push the issue after Jay had already had enough of a distressing evening.
Almond Cookie came up behind Jay, and his hand caressed him as it travelled across his shoulders. Jay turned in surprise to see the detective smile gently down at him.
"Everything's packed. Let's get you back to my place." Almond Cookie said.
"Oh, alright," Jay replied quickly. "I'll see you later, Vanilla." He said with a weak smile.
Drops of rain began to fall and drum against the pavement as Pure Vanilla Cookie watched Jay be quickly ushered into the waiting vehicle. Even as he waved goodbye, Jay didn't look back.
Pure Vanilla Cookie sighed heavily, feeling like he had done something wrong but couldn't understand what it was. He was doing everything right, wasn't he? He lowered his hat down over his silky blond hair, shielding himself from the relentless assault of raindrops with a heavy heart, a frown marking his soft dough as the rain rolled down his cheeks.
Pure Vanilla Cookie shook the drops from his hat and quickly went up to an officer pulling out an umbrella while they stood guard.
"Excuse me, would you mind telling me if they figured out who the attack was?" He asked.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie!" The officer said in surprise. "Uh sure, from the report, there were two attackers. But the Baker only gave a description for the first one, a Cookie dressed in white wearing a white mask." They recounted.
"I see. Thank you." Pure Vanilla Cookie said. As the rain came down harder, the Ancient Cookie was forced to take shelter under an umbrella. 
It was troubling to hear the remains of the St. Pastry Order had spread as far as Parfaedia. From carving statues to worship the Baker's true form to going as far as attacking him so openly. It worried Pure Vanilla Cookie what their plans for their Baker possibly were.

After a short, silent car ride, they returned to Almond and Walnut Cookie's home as the rain fell in a hush around them, muffling the nearby traffic and bustling of the nightlife. Almond Cookie and Jay rushed his bags into the house and piled them by the door inside, while Walnut Cookie rushed around them to avoid the rain.
Feeling exhausted and heavy, Jay dragged his suitcase and the rest of his belongings to the master bedroom and set them down by the bed. The pitter-patter of the rain against the roof helped soothe him, but the flower in his hands felt like a weight on his heart. Jay approached the window and opened it to get some air in hopes of clearing his head. Rain splashed onto the sill and Jay held out his hand to feel the icy drops hit his dough. He glanced at the white lily and his heart ached all over again. Knowing who it represented, Jay's brows furrowed in frustration. He plucked a petal from the lily and let it flutter out the window.
"He loves me..." Jay murmured. "He loves me not." He said. Jay pulled at the silky, pale petals until only a single one was left, repeating the words with a wavering voice. At the last petal Jay hesitated.
"He loves me... not." He recited quietly. Tears welled up in Jay's eyes and he stared at the petal-less stalk. He tossed the empty, desecrated stem out the window, feeling worse than ever and quickly shut the window.
The lights in the room flipped on and Jay turned quickly to see Almond Cookie enter the room and sigh tiredly after finishing his nightly routine and putting Walnut Cookie to bed. He went about his business, getting undressed and ready for bed while Jay turned away again and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and pulled the curtains closed. 
Jay sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed curtains blankly. He was exhausted, but at the same time was terrified to sleep. Almond Cookie came over and sat down next him quietly, wrapping an arm around his waist and softly kissing his cheek. Jay hardly reacted. 
"Are you ok?" Almond Cookie asked gently. Jay leaned against him, the warmth of his body pressed on his made him feel better.
"I'm ok... I'm just tired." He replied quietly. "I'm still... a little frazzled after what happened." Jay mumbled. Almond Cookie stroked his hair lightly, he could feel the smaller man trembling uncontrollably under his touch. Jay knew that there was no point denying what had happened, but he still wanted to pretend. 
"Do you want to talk about it?" Almond Cookie asked in a whisper. He drew Jay in, pulling him into his lap where he curled up against Almond's chest. Jay sniffed, and after all the tears that were spilled that night, he was sure he didn't have any left. But hot tears flowed freely down his cheeks regardless, and Almond Cookie kissed his head tenderly, rubbing his back in small circles. Jay shifted in Almond's lap to wrap his legs around his waist as he buried his face in the crook of Almond's neck, he full weight of his emotions pouring out in heaving sobs.
"I-I'm sorry..!" Jay choked out.
"You don't need to apologize." Almond Cookie reminded gently.
The windows rattled as the rain pounded harder against the glass. The storm roared above the house and the sky lit up briefly with a flash of lightning.
There was a moment of silence between them, neither knowing what to say. Jay clung desperately to Almond Cookie, his cries turning into painful whimpers as he fought not to lose control again and regain his composure. Almond Cookie hugged him tighter as if trying to hold him together, running a comforting hand through his hair as Jay slowly began to calm down. 
"It's alright. I'm here. I won't let you go." Almond Cookie promised fiercely. When Jay finally calmed down enough, he pulled away, wiping his tear-stained face and sniffling. Almond Cookie smiled reassuringly at him, but Jay avoided his eyes shamefully.
"I'm sorry..." Jay apologized again. Almond Cookie lovingly kissed Jay's lips, then pulled away to rest his forehead against his.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, love." He reassured. "Now, c'mon, let's get some sleep." Almond Cookie prompted. Exhausted, empty, and heavy, Jay wordlessly nodded in agreement.
Almond Cookie lifted Jay and walked with him in his arms to turn out the lights. 
In the cool, swallowing darkness, Almond Cookie's warmth was like a beacon of comfort. Jay clung to him until they got to the bed. The mattress dipped under their weight as Almond Cookie placed Jay gently on his side and pulled the comforter over them both. As soon as Almond Cookie was settled, Jay wrapped his arms around the taller man's waist tightly as if trying to make sure he wouldn't disappear in the dark. Almond's arms wrapped around him in return and a warm kiss was pressed against his forehead. Groping each other in the dark, Jay kissed the corner of Almond Cookie's mouth eagerly.
"Almond... I love you." Jay whispered.
"I love you, too." Almond Cookie replied softly. Jay cuddling into Almond's chest and inhaled his scent, letting the familiar smell of rain and stale almonds guide him to sleep.

Throughout the night, Jay awoke with a start at every little noise. The lightning and thunder from the storm didn't help in lulling Jay to sleep as he lay awake for hours at a time. He would drift away for a fleeting few moments until the creaking and groaning of the house startled him awake in a cold sweat. Visions of moving shadows and dancing shapes in the dark paralyzed him, and he would lie rigidly with wide eyes, afraid to move or breathe for fear of waking Almond Cookie. Soon, exhaustion overpowered the fear, and Jay fell into a dreamless slumber at 4 am.

Jay grumbled under his breath as he examined himself in the mirror, scrutinizing his appearance while trying to smooth down his messy hair. He pulled at the dough under his eye, the lines of stress and dark rings evident in his reflection. The spotty sleep he had last night didn't do him any favours. He turned to Almond Cookie with a worried frown.
"It's not that noticeable, right?" Jay asked nervously. Almond Cookie adjusted his tie before giving Jay a squeeze and kissing his lips quickly.
"You're just as handsome as always." He replied. Jay pouted as his eyes travelled to his reflection again. They were clearly not seeing the same thing.
Quickly splashing some water in his face, Jay dried off with a towel before following Almond Cookie down the stairs for a quick breakfast.
Jay got a police escort to his next play date, and he was informed by Almond Cookie that there would be a police perimeter set up around the academy to ensure his safety. 
It almost felt like a little too much, but it relieved the buzzing anxiety in Jay's head knowing that Almond Cookie would never be too far away.
Jay watched the streets of Parfaedia pass by silently from the passenger seat, Almond Cookie muttering commands into his radio every so often as they drove. There was an air of tension in the cruiser. He knew it was Almond's job, but Jay felt a little bad that he caused more trouble for him in the end.
The squad car stopped in front of the Parfaedia Institute, a grand building with tall towers decorated with swirled ice cream cones, reflecting the dessert magic the school was known for. Almond Cookie said a few more words into his radio and listened to the static-filled chatter for a moment before getting out of the vehicle and walking around to open the passenger side door for Jay.
"Thank you, Almond Cookie." Jay said politely as he stepped out of the cruiser. Almond Cookie smiled charmingly and held Jay's hand as he helped him onto the curb. 
"I'll be here if anything happens. I love you." He replied. A smile spread across Jay's face bashfully and he blushed.
"I love you, too." He replied sweetly. They waved goodbye and Jay ascended the winding concrete steps to the academy, glancing back now and again at Almond Cookie.
Jay gazed up in wonder at the colossal arches and pillars that made up the front entrance to the Parfaedia Institute. Past the gates were the doors, and in front of them, three Cookies were waiting for him. Prune Juice Cookie waved Jay over cheerfully.
"Welcome to the academy, Baker." He greeted.
"Welcome, Baker. It is a joy to have you here." The Parfaedia Principal said politely. This wasn't the first time he had met the principal and the Parfaedia council in front of the school. Jay's first introduction was with Latte Cookie a several days ago. They were trying hard to impress him.
"I assume Latte Cookie gave you the grand tour on her date, yes?" Prune Juice Cookie asked.
"Play date." Jay corrected. "But yes, she did." He replied. The principal and the council nodded in understanding.
"I guess we can skip right to our 'play date', then, hmm?" Prune Juice Cookie prompted, he nodded with his head for Jay to follow him. Jay followed suit and the council Cookies quickly kept up with them.
"Baker, if we could have a second of your time." The Strict Professor requested eagerly. The smaller cat-like Cookie and the other council member cut him off from Prune Juice Cookie and surrounded him.
"Now, now, it's my turn with the Baker, isn't it?" Prune Juice Cookie said, but he protests were ignored by the council and the principal. They presented Jay with the newspaper from a few days ago reporting on his magical mishap.
"Oh... you saw that." Jay cringed.
"Everyone in Parfaedia saw it, nya!" Capricious Wizard said, their whiskers twitching with excitement.
"I'm really sorry." Jay apologized quickly. "It won't happen again." He promised.
"No, Baker, you misunderstand! The council and the Institute were very impressed." Strict Professor said. 
"You would be a shoe in at the Magic Institute, considering your powerful magic." Capricious Wizard added. Jay tilted his head in confusion.
"But... I haven't really done any magic at all, and the only spell I did blew up in my face and caused so much trouble. I don't know why you would want me in the Institute." He said uncertainly. The members exchanged glances between each other and Capricious Wizard took one step forward, waving his cat bell staff for emphasis. It jingled faintly with each shake.
"You see, Baker, although miscast spells tend to be explosive and unpredictable, the scale and power of the one that you performed was astounding." They said. Prune Juice Cookie chuckled.
"They heard from Latte Cookie you were considering joining the Academy." He added slyly. The strict professor shushed Prune Juice Cookie harshly and moved in front of him.
"With some private instruction here at the school you could become a very powerful wizard." The Parfaedia Principal insisted. The council nodded and murmured in agreement. They stared at Jay expectantly, eyes shining, and a lump grew in his throat.
"U-Um... thank you for the offer, but I'm not sure yet, I'm still thinking about my options." Jay politely declined. This was definitely about winning the Triple Cone Cup, if nothing else they wanted to keep him close by. The offer was tempting, but he had to worry about getting himself back to his world, and he couldn't do that if he was bogged down with homework and fretting over tests. He needed to stay focused on what was important and not let the Cookies distract him. No matter how enticing.
The council looked disappointed, but respected his decision. Jay thanked them all for their offers before Prune Juice Cookie pushed through the council and grabbed Jay by the arm and pulled him away from the other Cookies. Prune Juice Cookie dragged Jay through the winding corridors, rows of lockers, past numerous classrooms, and up twisting staircases.
"Y'know, you're supposed to be spending the day with me." Prune Juice chided gently.
"S-Sorry." He apologized nervously. Prune Juice Cookie laughed.
"You really are a popular Cookie." He mused.
"Yeah... guess I am." Jay replied.

In one of the many wings of the academy, Prune Juice Cookie brought Jay to an isolated classroom. From the many bottles of potions and the large caldron, he guessed that Prune Juice Cookie spent a lot of time here making his own concoctions. The tall, pale Cookie leaned against a desk and smiled slyly at Jay from under his wide-brimmed hat. He had all the looks of a cunning fox curled up in his path.
"So, you want to learn how to brew potions from me?" Prune Juice Cookie asked. Jay nodded firmly.
"That's right." He said.
"The professors say you have impressive magical abilities, and yet, you want to learn how to brew potions? Why?" Prune Juice questioned. Jay was a little taken aback by the question for a moment. He didn't expect it; he thought Prune Juice Cookie would be happy to teach him.
"Well... I think it's a good idea to diversify my magical knowledge and not put all my eggs in one basket, y'know?" He replied honestly. "Potions feel like a good asset to have," Jay said.
Since he wasn't good at magic and the destructive power of a miscast was a possibility, having a foolproof magic spell in a vial sounded like a good idea. Since the attack last night, Jay's mind was filled with ways to avoid it from ever happening again.
Prune Juice Cookie's smile widened, and he seemed pleased with Jay's answer.
"Good answer. Fine, I'll teach you a few things, and this lesson will be free of charge. Just this once." He grinned.

Prune Juice Cookie pulled Jay in front of the caldron and activated the magic circle underneath the pot. He gathered a bunch of magical ingredients Jay had never seen before and laid them out on the desk. Prune Juice Cookie explained each of the ingredients and what they were. Dried flowers and herbs, berries, ground spices, insect wings, candy syrups, and unidentifiable powders in jars. Jay watched quietly as Prune Juice Cookie carefully measured everything and poured it into the caldron. The water turned from a translucent white to a lavender shade of purple as Prune Juice Cookie stirred the bubbling brew slowly.
"What kind of potion are you making?" Jay asked curiously. A dark shadow crossed Prune Juice Cookie's face as he smiled, but it quickly disappeared when he adjusted his hat and flipped his long hair over his shoulder.
"Oh, this is nothing. Just something I've been experimenting with. Far too advanced for you right now." He replied smugly. Jay pouted and crossed his arms, leaning back against the counter.
"I thought you were supposed to be teaching me!" He huffed.
"Well, were you paying attention?" Prune Juice Cookie asked. Jay's eyes widened slightly, and he straightened up slightly.
"Uh..." He mumbled. Prune Juice Cookie clicked his tongue playfully and shook his head.
"Potion making is all about precise ingredients, timing, and chemical reactions." He explained.
"So... it's kinda like baking?" Jay said sheepishly.
"I suppose you can look at it that way." Prune Juice Cookie chuckled.
"As long as I have a recipe, I can make a potion! It shouldn't be too difficult, right?" Jay said cheerfully.
"What kinds of potions are you interested in making?" Prune Juice Cookie questioned. As he stirred the small caldron, a pink mist began to rise off the top of the liquid. The heat made it turn from purple to a hot pink. The smell was peculiar; it was so familiar, but Jay couldn't place it. It was so sweet it was almost overpowering, and it filled his senses with a perfumy fragrance. It reminded him of roses.
"Potions that I can throw. Like a throwable sleep potion, invisibility, and maybe one that can temporarily blind someone." Jay said thoughtfully. Prune Juice Cookie hummed and tapped his chin contemplatively before turning towards Jay.
"Ah, so potions for self-defense." He said. Jay nodded and avoided Prune Juice Cookie's eyes for a moment when he felt him studying him.
"Y'know. In case anything happens." Jay shrugged awkwardly. He didn't want to talk about it or even acknowledge that it happened. 
"It's always a good idea to be prepared." Prune Juice Cookie agreed. Jay rubbed his eye and nodded, trying to hold back a yawn. "Well, I'm happy you came to me with this, Baker." Prune Juice Cookie went on. He knelt down and opened the tall, wooden cupboard tucked beneath the counter, revealing a neatly organized stash of chemistry equipment.
Delicate glass beakers, with their surfaces glinting in the light, and polished metal stands. A Bunsen burner and round flasks sat connected by sets of swirling tubes, each one designed to mix and measure liquids with precision. The items were neatly arranged on the counter as Prune Juice Cookie pulled out more ingredients. With all the equipment side by side, magic and scientific, it felt like a clashing mess of different worlds.
"We can start with a simple sleep potion." Prune Juice Cookie said he handed Jay a heavy stone mortar and pestle. "Here start grinding these until they're a fine powder." He instructed. Jay nodded and got to work. 
After a few minutes, Jay looked up at Prune Juice Cookie, who appeared to be deep in thought. Prune Juice Cookie was very focused, and his concentration was split between him and the potion he was preparing in the caldron. The light streaming through the window illuminated him from behind, and his eyes sparkled brightly in a mysterious manner.
"Done?" Prune Juice Cookie asked. Jay looked down at the mortar and nodded quickly.
"Oh yeah. Now what?" He questioned.
"Here, let me show you." Prune Juice Cookie said. He walked behind Jay and wrapped an arm around his shoulders as he went to his right side. Jay stiffened for a second, surprised by the sudden physical contact. Prune Juice Cookie continued like nothing was different, and Jay tried to relax enough to pay attention to what Prune Juice Cookie was telling him.
"A lot of potions use water as a base." He explained, pointing to a beaker of gently boiling water. Jay held the mortar over the beaker while Prune Juice Cookie brushed the powder into the steaming water. Jay removed his hand and placed the mortar down, watching intently as the powder dissolved in the water, transforming it into a light purple hue. Prune Juice Cookie hand lowered from Jay's shoulders to his lower back as he spoke, and Jay could hardly pay attention to the recipe as Prune Juice redirected him to the beaker.
Prune Juice Cookie kept his hand on Jay's back as he guided him through the motions of adding more ingredients. His hands were warm and firm, causing Jay's stomach to flutter uncomfortably. He swallowed hard and focused on the task at hand, feeling like he was doing a bit better than he expected despite Prune Juice Cookie's closeness. When they finished their potion, it was a dreamy lavender color.
"Here, feel the consistency. It will help you make it in the future." Prune Juice Cookie said. He grabbed Jay's hand and helped him stir the potion. "Do you feel it?" He asked. The potion had a thicker consistency than Jay had expected. But this situation was getting a little uncomfortable.
"Uh... Yeah." Jay agreed awkwardly. He felt relieved when Prune Juice Cookie moved away momentarily to take the finished potion off the burner and corked it.
"I recommend not agitating this potion too much." Prune Juice Cookie advised. "When thrown and smashed, it will explode into a mist that will put Cookies to sleep." He said, carefully pouring the liquid into a triangle-shaped glass bottle. Prune Juice Cookie handed Jay the potion.
"How do you know it works?" Jay asked curiously. Prune Juice Cookie chuckled slyly.
"Well, you're more than welcome to test it out. But I only recommend doing that if you're ok with taking a nap." He said.
"I'll... take your word on it." Jay laughed nervously.
"Why don't we take a break and have some tea?" Prune Juice Cookie suggested. Jay happily agreed and followed Prune Juice Cookie out of the room and into another room across the hall. Inside, it looked like an elegant tea room with decorated tables and snacks already waiting for them. Jay was impressed, and he began to wonder how much of this play date was planned beforehand. They took a seat at a table near the window, and Jay eyed the pastries on the stand.
"Help yourself, Baker. I'll go get the tea started." Prune Juice Cookie said with a smile. Jay picked up one of the pastries, examined it closely, then popped it into his mouth and closed his eyes happily. 
"This is so yummy!" He exclaimed happily. Prune Juice Cookie chuckled and stood up to get their tea.
In the back, Prune Juice Cookie prepared the tea in a fancy pot and set up the cups on a tray. As he poured the hot tea, he inhaled the scent.
"Hmm... It's missing something." Prune Juice Cookie mused. From his pocket, he pulled out a small vial of pink liquid and uncorked the stopper quietly. He carefully poured a few drops into Jay's tea.
Prune Juice Cookie assumed the Baker wouldn't mind helping him test his new love potion. There were many customers of his searching for the lost and banned potion, and who was he to deny paying customers?
With his potion-making expertise and connections, it wasn't too hard to source special ingredients for it and solve the mystery of its recipe. This version, unlike the original, wasn't as strong, nor was it permanent. Prune Juice Cookie had tweaked the recipe for this occasion. He wouldn't dream of doing anything with Baker without his consent, because if he did, he would disappear quicker than if he took his "now you see me, now you don't" potion. It was just to test the love potion, and as an added bonus, if he got to have the Baker's full attention and all the affection he wanted. It irked Prune Juice Cookie that he wasn't a favourite of the Baker's like Capsaicin Cookie. The Baker's favourites got all the attention. But just for today, the Baker would look at him like he does at Capsaicin Cookie.
Prune Juice Cookie, happy with his work, picked up the tea tray and left the small kitchen. Jay was occupying himself by unfolding and refolding the cloth napkin when Prune Juice Cookie reappeared.
"Sorry for taking so long, Baker." He apologized.
"Oh, it's ok," Jay replied with a smile.
"Here's your tea." Prune Juice Cookie said, placing an ornate teacup in front of Jay. Prune Juice Cookie sat down quietly as he keenly watched Jay pour cream and sugar into his tea and raise the cup to his lips. A look of mild bewilderment came over Jay's face when he tasted the tea. He slowly put down his cup and looked at the contents in confusion.
"What's the matter?" Prune Juice Cookie asked with bated breath. He bit back a grin. Jay took another taste curiously.
"It... tastes, uhm, a little weird." He said uncertainly. It wasn't bad per se, just it was a taste he wasn't expecting. Jay suddenly tensed up, then released a gentle breath as his body relaxed into the moment. He rested his chin on his hand, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips as he absently stirred his tea, his gaze fixed on Prune Juice Cookie. A smug, evil smile spread across Prune Juice Cookie's face.
"Prune Juice Cookie~ have I ever told you how handsome you are?" Jay purred.
"No, you haven't!" Prune Juice Cookie replied.
"Well, you are! And so talented too~ Oh, you're smile is just so cute!" Jay gushed. He leaned forward in his chair, resting his cheeks in his palms, a dreamily look in his eyes.
"You flatter me, Baker! Thank you so much." Prune Juice Cookie said, batting his eyelashes innocently. Oh, he could get used to this.
Prune Juice Cookie was about to pick up and enjoy his tea when Jay suddenly stood up, making the chair clatter and the table shake suddenly. He looked up in surprise when Jay rushed around the table and jumped into his lap. The chair tipped backwards precariously on its two back legs as Jay giggled and clung to him. Prune Juice Cookie managed to grab the table and right them both before they toppled backwards. All Jay could to was laugh as he wrapped his arms around Prune Juice Cookie's shoulders.
"B-Baker!" He said in surprise. Jay twirled a lock of Prune Juice Cookie's long purple hair around his hand and gave it a tender kiss. Prune Juice Cookie's cheeks flushed as Jay looked at him with his eyes half-lidded. 
"Y'know, I also never mentioned how I have a thing for guys with long, pretty hair, hmm~?" He cooed.
Prune Juice Cookie had halved the effects of the original love potion in his batch, but maybe the dose he gave Jay was still too strong. He didn't exactly know how to handle the Baker when he was like this.
Jay caressed Prune Juice Cookie's cheek sweetly and traced his jawline to lead him into a kiss. He leaned in, but Prune Juice Cookie quickly pulled away his reddening face.
"Uh, why don't we go back and continue the potion brewing lesson?" He suggested nervously. Jay chuckled.
"Anything you want, baby~" He replied sweetly.

Prune Juice Cookie ushered Jay out of the tea room and down the hall. Jay clung to his arm and nuzzled him lovingly as they walked, and Prune Juice Cookie revelled in the looks of surprise the other students in the corridor gave them. Now he understood being the center of the stares of envy and glares of jealousy that the Baker's favourites were subjected to. And he loved every moment of it. Be jealous, Prune Juice Cookie thought. He was the favourite for today.
Prune Juice Cookie walked with his head held high, and Jay giggled, a blush spreading across his cheeks.
"Everyone's staring." He whispered. "We must look like a couple~" Jay said sweetly, his grip on Prune Juice's arm tightened slightly.
"I guess we do." Prune Juice Cookie replied with a sly grin. The whispers and stares only fed him.
They made it back to the classroom, and Prune Juice Cookie quickly closed the door behind them to give them some privacy from the watchful eyes of his classmates.
They resumed their potion lesson where they had left it, but with Jay under the effects of the love potion, paying attention became a far more difficult task than one Cookie could bear. Jay was all over him. His hands tracing his figure and trying to find a way underneath his robes. Jay's eyes never left him, gazing up at him, lovestruck. Prune Juice Cookie's face burned hot, and he stuttered as he tried to keep himself focused on the lesson.
"You're so smart, Pruney..." Jay praised tenderly as he rested his chin on Prune Juice Cookie's shoulder. Jay's unoccupied hand played idly with a long lock of his hair.
"Pruney? Heh..." Prune Juice Cookie replied, unable to come up with a witty retort. Jay's lips needily found his warm cheek, and the grip on his shoulders tightened as he kissed more, eagerly closing in on Prune Juice Cookie's lips. He pulled away quickly; his determination wavered at the feeling of Jay's soft lips against his dough. Oh, how he had dreamed of it. But annoyingly, the last shreds of Prune Juice's morals told him it would be a bad idea to kiss Jay when he was like this.
"Oh, you're so cute when you're all shy like this~" Jay cooed.
"Um, I think we should stop..." Prune Juice Cookie said reluctantly.
"Why, baby, why?" Jay whined, pouting cutely up at him. He grabbed Prune Juice Cookie's cheeks and tugged his face close to his own to take what he wanted. Prune Juice Cookie stumbled back in surprise and hit his back against the wall. That's when Jay pounced. He pinned Prune Juice Cookie to the wall, his lips locked onto Prune Juice Cookie's in a fiery, passionate kiss. Sparks flew, and Prune Juice Cookie lost all his willpower at once and kissed back just as eagerly. He wrapped his arms around Jay, gripping the back of his shirt as the kiss deepened. His heart raced and his breathing became laboured. His head spun with dizziness as Jay's kisses grew hungrier. Prune Juice Cookie's thoughts were fuzzy as his dough tingled and his heart burned with desire. 
If anyone found out what he did, that he kissed the Baker like this after drugging him with an experimental love potion, he would be jailed for sure. Or worse, crumbled by a hoard of righteously angry Cookies. But technically, Jay kissed him first.
They parted, panting hard, and their faces flushed. Prune Juice Cookie stared at Jay almost as if in disbelief. Jay grinned at him, his eyes glazed over and hazy with love.
"We can't do this here," Jay whispered and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Can we?" He asked, his voice low and husky. Prune Juice Cookie shivered and swallowed thickly. He nodded.
Prune Juice Cookie pulled Jay by the hand down the hallway swiftly. Despite his glowing red face, he ignored the other students milling about and their quizzical stares. He brought Jay to the dormitory. It was empty and quiet, as most students were still attending their classes. Prune Juice Cookie shakily got out his keys and quickly unlocked the door to his room while he could feel Jay's hands on him, their touch burning holes of desire through his robes. He could feel it on his dough.
The door opened, and the pair scrambled inside, slamming the door closed behind them with suggestive giggles slipping out. Jay's mouth was already on Prune Juice Cookie's by the time the door shut in a fiery passion that left Prune Juice breathless, like he was drowning. As Jay pushed him back towards the bed, he began to feel a little guilty. But only a little. Not enough to stop Jay from pushing him down onto the soft mattress and climbing on top of him. But before they could continue their passionate embrace, Jay let out a long yawn.
"Are you tired?" Prune Juice Cookie asked. Jay rubbed the stray tears in his eye and smiled.
"A little." He answered. "I didn't sleep well last night cause I was so paranoid after being attacked by that crazy stalker," Jay said nonchalantly.
"Oh." Prune Juice Cookie said quietly. He was just noticing the dark rings and lines of stress under Jay's eyes.
"But if you were there, I know you would have protected me!" Jay said cheerfully. Ok, now Prune Juice Cookie was starting to feel really guilty. Despite Jay's drooping eyelids, he stared down at Prune Juice Cookie with a glazed-over affection in his eyes. Prune Juice Cookie looked away uneasily as Jay leaned down for a kiss. He put his hand on Jay's mouth to stop him for a brief moment.
"The break-in that happened yesterday... I read what happened. Are you sure you're alright?" Prune Juice Cookie asked, his brow creased with worry. Jay smiled as he cupped the sides of his face and pressed his forehead against his.
"Oh, Pruney, you're so sweet. But I'm fine! I'll be fine as long as I'm with you." Jay purred.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He tried again. Jay shrugged and buried his face in his neck, pecking sweetly at his dough.
"No, no, it wasn't really a big deal," Jay said casually. Prune Juice Cookie felt his heart squeeze painfully in his chest. Jay wasn't avoiding the subject out of stubbornness or pain; it was truly because his mind couldn't think about anything else but him. Prune Juice Cookie sighed and gently stroked his back.
"Ok then... Do you wanna cuddle for a bit?" He asked. Jay brightened and nodded excitedly. He crawled off Prune Juice Cookie and lay down next to him, snuggling up against his side and placing his head in the crook of his neck.
"Love you, baby~" Jay mumbled into the fabric of his robe. Prune Juice Cookie smiled fondly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Jay's head.
"I love you, too, Baker." Prune Juice Cookie replied, even though he knew Jay didn't mean what he said.
With Prune Juice Cookie slowly stroking his dark hair, Jay struggled to keep his eyes open. His breathing slowed, and he curled up against Prune Juice's chest. Prune Juice Cookie smiled and pulled a blanket over Jay, letting him rest.

Jay tossed and turned restlessly as he dreamed a dream that felt too big and bright for his mind to contain. Flashing silver and wings that gleamed like jewels in the light. His head pounded as a demented laugh cut through shining, silver bark, flooding everything with darkness. Eyes watched him as Jay felt helpless to stop the coming disaster. But he didn't know what it was. He looked harder, and he could see his precious Pure Vanilla Cookie running towards a giant jagged tear, which was flooded with light, and the smell of lilies invaded his dream. Just as he was on the cusp of seeing what was on the other side, it faded and slipped through his fingers as he was suddenly jostled awake.
Jay jumped, and he quickly wiped drool from his cheek as Prune Juice Cookie shook him again.
"Baker, we overslept. It's time for you to go home." Prune Juice Cookie said. Jay scrambled to fix his appearance and grab his things. He hurried along with Prune Juice Cookie to the gates of the school, where Almond Cookie waited for them. The dream stuck in Jay's mind. Normally, he would be happy to dream of Pure Vanilla Cookie. But with everything he was feeling about their relationship, it only made him feel worse.
With Jay's knowledge of the story and lore, he couldn't be sure, but there was something deep down that told him that White Lily Cookie was out there somewhere. That thought brought him no comfort.
Prune Juice Cookie kept his eye on Jay as they approached Almond Cookie. Luckily, the love potion seemed to have wore off.
"Hi, Almond!" Jay greeted with a smile.
"Hey, Baker. Hello Prune Juice Cookie." Almond Cookie replied.
"Good evening, Almond Cookie." Prune Juice Cookie said.
"I take it everything went smoothly? No mishaps?" Almond Cookie said as he crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing Prune Juice Cookie with a suspiciously. 
"Oh, of course! I would never do anything to endanger our Baker." Prune Juice Cookie answered, putting up his hands defensively. Almond Cookie gave a curt nod in response to Prune Juice's reassurances. 
"Good. We will be on our way then." Almond Cookie said, turning to lead the way back to the waiting car. Jay lingered for a moment, he turned to Prune Juice Cookie and smiled.
"Thanks for today, it was a lot of fun." He said sweetly. He leaned over suddenly and gently kissed Prune Juice Cookie on the cheek. Prune Juice Cookie froze, staring at Jay with wide eyes. Jay waved goodbye and followed Almond Cookie down the steps.
Prune Juice Cookie slowly touched the cheek where Jay had kissed him, his face flushing and his heart fluttered. That small, little kiss was more meaningful than all of the make outs they had that day. Maybe he had been a little too hasty with that love potion plan.

"So, how was your time with Prune Juice Cookie, Baker?" Almond Cookie asked. Jay snapped out of his daydream and returned to the present. His dream was still nagging at the back of his mind.
"Oh, it was nice," Jay said simply. "Prune Juice Cookie taught me some potion recipes, and he was nice enough to let me take a nap. Guess I really needed it." He smiled sheepishly.
"That's good, I'm glad you had a good time." Almond Cookie replied. As Jay looked out the window at the passing shops, a thought returned to him, and he gasped slightly.
"Oh! Almond, would it be ok if we did a bit of shopping before heading back? There are some spell books I want to pick up." Jay asked.
"Of course." Almond Cookie answered with a smile. He slowed down the acceleration and let Jay direct him where to go.
At the end of their quick shopping trip, Jay suggested they grab a bite to eat at a cafe. They drove to a familiar cafe, and Almond Cookie looked a little apprehensive as they walked through the doors, his eyes scanning the surroundings for anything strange or out of place. He was also on the lookout for that barista. Maybe he wouldn't order a coffee here.
"Oh, Baker, it's so nice to see you again!" Coffee Cake Cookie said cheerfully as she approached them. She put a hand on Jay's shoulder in concern and gave him a sympathetic look. "I heard what happened yesterday." She said quietly.
"Oh. Yeah, I'm ok now. Thanks." Jay said awkwardly.
"We're doing everything we can to bring the Cookie who did it to justice." Almond Cookie interjected, sensing Jay was uncomfortable.
"I hope so! I can't believe someone would be so unwell as to attempt something so horrid like that." Coffee Cake Cookie lamented. The cafe owner shook off the chills and raised her notepad with a smile. "But anyway, what can I get for you? It'll be on the house." She asked sweetly.
They put in their orders, and Jay looked around and noticed that he hadn't seen Marocchino Cookie yet.
"Where's Marocchino Cookie?" Jay asked. Almond Cookie eyed the door to the backroom, expecting the barista Cookie to come out of hiding at the Baker's mention of his name.
"He's been feeling sick lately, unfortunately. He would have loved to see that you're alright." Coffee Cake Cookie said sadly.
"Oh, that sucks. Tell him I said get well soon." Jay replied.
"Hope he gets well soon. I'll get a black coffee as well." Almond Cookie added.

They got their to-go bags and headed back to the car when Jay noticed the gate in the alleyway leading to the courtyard. The statue was over there.
"Hang on, Almond. There's something I want to check real quick." Jay said over his shoulder. Before Almond Cookie could respond, Jay rushed to the gate and pulled it open. It was unlocked. The metal hinges squealed as the gate opened and Jay slipped inside.
"Baker, wait!" Almond Cookie called after him. Jay walked down the path and emerged into the sunny courtyard. The flowers were freshly watered, and the candles around the stone statue's basin were replaced with new ones. The statue still depicted him, but it was different than what Jay remembered. The stone relief that featured an angelic depiction of his human form was replaced with a similar carving of his current Cookie body. The same flowing robes and angel wings. It looked to be a copy of the original piece, but done by a different artist. As he stared up at the statue, all he could feel was confusion. When and why had the sculpture changed?
"Baker, there you are. You shouldn't run off like that." Almond Cookie said worriedly. Jay turned to see Almond Cookie standing behind him. He gazed up at the statue, but didn't comment. He put his arm around Jay's shoulder and steered him away from the courtyard.
"C'mon, let's go home." He urged.

They made it back to Almond Cookie's place. He carried in Jay's bags of potion brewing how-to books, and Jay carried in their dinner. Walnut Cookie was happy to see them and cheered with delight at the treat they brought her from the cafe. A tasty pastry for dessert.
They all ate dinner together, and Jay was quiet as he thought over the day's events. It felt a little strange how he was so affectionate with Prune Juice Cookie when they weren't that close. He knew he had a sort of favouritism when it came to the Cookies, and while he liked Prune Juice Cookie, he wasn't one of his favourites. So his being all over him today was a little weird. Jay couldn't explain what had come over him. But he shrugged it off in favour of the things he was able to learn and the potions he brewed with Prune Juice Cookie. A lot of his memory was fuzzy anyway.
After dinner, Jay helped with the cleanup before settling down at the table once again to write in his journal.
Now that he had recruited Eclair Cookie to help with the construction of another portal, he had to think of who would be able to help him build it. It would be a lot easier for him to get home if he knew where the original portal machine was, so he could use that instead of building a new one from scratch. But he doubted the Cookies would ever allow him anywhere near it. There had to be some clue to where the portal was. They had to stash it somewhere close to the Cookie Kingdom so they could transfer him safely to the castle.
Jay wracked his memory of that night when he awoke in Pure Vanilla Cookie's arms, when he was brought to this world. Jay's cheeks flushed, remembering how warm and secure he had felt in Pure Vanilla's arms. He recalled the loving kiss on the forehead Pure Vanilla Cookie had given him, and his stomach lurched with longing. Jay pushed the feeling away and refocused on his writing.
It had been a while since that night. His hazy memory had long faded since then, but Jay kept trying, tugging on the threads to tie the memory together. He remembered... candlelight. It was dark, far darker than a room with the curtains closed. The candles stood still; they didn't flicker as if they were constantly disturbed by the wind. So it had to be inside with no windows. From his blurry recollection, he could see a stone brick ceiling. Perhaps a stone building or a basement?
With Jay being so busy with the schedule, he hadn't had time to snoop around the Cookie Castle for any clues.
Jay quickly flipped his journal closed when Almond Cookie came up behind him and kissed his cheek. He handed him a drink and smiled handsomely.
"What are you writing?" Almond Cookie asked.
"Oh, just journaling about my day," Jay replied innocently. He rubbed Jay's shoulders soothingly.
"Want to come to bed?" Almond Cookie questioned.
"I'll be there in a little bit, hun," Jay assured him. Almond nodded and wandered off to bed. After a moment or two, Jay glanced up to make sure he was alone. When the coast was clear, he opened the book again and began to write.
The portal being under the castle would make the most sense. It would be easier to carry his sleeping form up from the basement to his room without waking him than it would if it were outside the castle. And Jay had the hunch that the activation of the portal was a private event. He recalled other voices in the room, but not many. Jay scribbled down his theories and sighed. The other Ancients had to be there as well, as Hollyberry Cookie was there when he woke up. There was a chance that whoever was there when he came through the portal were the ones who helped create it.
As Jay's thoughts drifted through various possibilities, he recalled the mysterious statue in the cafe's courtyard and how its appearance had suddenly transformed from a human to a cookie. Jay stared down at the half-finished page of his journal. He wrote down a reminder.

Remember: YOU ARE HUMAN.