☆ Shadows On The Walls — Shadow Milk Cookie & Child!Reader Fic ☆

Maybe for a part 2 of the doughbaby!reader, Shadow milk sneaks into their room at night to hangout with them, only to leave before pure vanilla walks in.

☆ Shadows On The Walls — Shadow Milk Cookie & Child!Reader Fic ☆

Genre: Platonic, Mild Angst || they/them pronouns for reader || Manipulative Shadow Milk warning

A/N: Okay technically this is actually part 3- (previous and start fics for context)

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It was the night after your slightly discouraging art display, and you'd fallen asleep at your mini desk. The air was cool, with a slight wind blowing outside. You felt something shift, as if a weight had entered the air. Your eyes slowly blinked open, and you rubbed them with a yawn while hearing papers rustle. When your vision came in, a large shadow was standing beside your desk. Two shades of blue eyes looked down at you, and you gasped happily while sitting up "Shadow Cookie!"

"Thaaat's right!" The shadow replies, leaning forwards so he could come into view. Shadow Milk had been visiting for months now, and he noted as he saw the scattered pictures across your desk that it seemed his efforts were sucessful. He grinned widely, looking over your art in his hands "Did you make this, little puppet? I see a certain rougish devil made his appearance!". You giggled, reaching up as best you could to point to it "Yeah, yeah! But papa didn't seem to like it too much...". Your frown returned, and Shadow Milk gave a huge gasp "He didn't?! Well, the nerve! He must be blinder than I thought!". Your smile returned as you looked up at your 'imaginary' friend "Papa's just worried sometimes. But s'good that you like it!"

"Like it?! Why, little puppet, I love it! I'd hang this up in my spire" Shadow Milk declared, holding the drawing close to his chest. You got down from your chair, running over to him and grabbing his legs for a tight hug. Shadow Milk chuckled, placing a hand atop your head. "That papa of yours isn't very kind, is he?" Shadow Milk commented "How strange for a Cookie of truth to lie to his own kin!". "Lie?" You asked, pulling back with a confused expression "What do you mean?". "Oh, don't worry your poor little dough over it" Shadow Milk cooed, lifting you under your arms. He floated off of the ground, carrying you up before holding you tight to his chest.

"But- papa isn't supposed to lie" you frowned. "I know, but papa's don't always do as they're supposed to" Shadow Milk responded, a fake look of sympathy on his face. He pulled you in, nuzzling his cheek to yours "I'd never lie to you, you poor thing. We're good friends, right?". As he asked that last part, his grip on you tightened a little. You gave a nod "Yeah! Bestest friends!". Shadow Milk grinned widely, sharp teeth showing as he held you up above his head while he spun mid-air "That's right! Best as can be! And best friends always tell the truth"

You giggled at the motion, pulling yourself into his arms for a tight hug. It was refreshing to have a friend you could play with at all times, a silly jester who loves making you smile. You pulled back, chuckling with him before a knock came from your door. "Little sunflower? Are you awake" Pure Vanilla's voice called. Shadow Milk quickly placed you back down "That's my cue to exit the stage". You gave a little whine, tugging on the jester's sleeve "Do you have to?". "You know the rules" Shadow Milk replied. He watched as your head titled down, a sad pout on your face. He couldn't help but grin.

"Well, I was going to wait for a special occasion, but I suppose I can give you this now" Shadow Milk said, pulling something out. He handed you a small doll fashioned to look just like him, with big button eyes and a stitched smile. You squealed, holding it close to your chest "Thank you, Shadow Cookie! You're the best!"

"Sunflower? Who are you talking to?" Pure Vanilla called. Shadow Milk scowled, replacing it with a faux look of kindness as he leaned down to speak with you "I'll be back soon, don't worry" he said, before vanishing into the shadows. You felt your smile fall as you nuzzled into the doll he'd given you. You loved your papa, but it was disappointing how your friend always had to leave when he came by. And he said such odd things... what lies could he be talking about?

The door opened, Pure Vanilla hurriedly walking in. He waved his staff about a bit, hair a mess and breathing heavily. You walked up behind him, tugging on his robes. "Papa?" You asked, and the healer turned to you. He sighed with relief, kneeling down and wrapping an arm around you "What are you doing up so late? I thought someone had found you...". "I was jus' drawing, an' I fell asleep" you explained. Pure Vanilla pulled back, kissing your forehead "Of course, how silly of me. My little artist must have been hard at work". He lifted you up, balancing you in his arms "Come now, it's time for bed"

You let out a yawn, nuzzling into his chest. Soon enough, you were tucked into bed, Pure Vanilla making sure you were snugly covered in blankets. He'd noticed a flicker of something blue being closely squeezed in your arms. He tried to reach a hand out, but you'd turned away from him before he could see. "G'night, papa" you said. Pure Vanilla pulled back, that worried expression back on his face. "...Good night, my bluebird" he said, a little quietly.

He closed the door to your room upon exiting, that troubled expression now fully showing on his face. He could feel that presence. He kept having to look over his shoulders around the shadowy corners of his castle, fear gripping him tightly. Every inch of the hollow nooks felt like they were watching him. Waiting. Laughing.

"Elder Faerie will be here tomorrow... please, please, by all that is good, don't let my fears come true" Pure Vanilla thought to himself "You can have my kingdom, my title, my souljam.. just please.. don't take my little bluebird away from me". He began walking to his room, worriedly holding the handle of his staff. Daunting eyes watched him as he walked. "Oh, Silly Vanilly..." a voice whispered eerily in the darkness "Fighting so hard to protect his little family... pathetic". Shadow Milk morphed into the darkness, beginning his usual escape route back to the outside. Black Sapphire and Candy Apple stood in the royal garden, waiting for him.

"Count this night a success, my delightful little grubs" Shadow Milk said as he materialized. Candy Apple squealed "I knew it, I knew it! You're so strong, my lord!". Black Sapphire gave a little bow "All is in motion, just as requested". Shadow Milk grinned widely, a high giggle leaving him "Perfect, perfect! I can't wait to see their faces when it happens!". "Until then," Black Sapphire began, hopping up on his staff to float off of the ground "We have time left to plan". "Pssh, as if I need a plan" Shadow Milk said, beginning to walk away from the castle "Have faith, my minions. This isn't even the half of what's to come"