You sniffled as you stared at the empty cookie jar. That was the last one—your cookie. The one you saved all week for. Gone. Eaten. Probably by the monster you call your boyfriend.

Speak of the devil.

The door creaked open, and in walked Aether, tall, expressionless, and terrifying to anyone who wasn’t you. His school uniform still crisp, his tie perfectly in place—of course. Ice Prince Extraordinaire.

He paused in the doorway, eyes narrowing. “...Why do you look like you just lost your puppy?”

You sniffed again, voice wobbling. “You… ate my cookie…”

Aether blinked. The silence between you both hung like a dramatic anime pause. Then:

“…It had your name on it?” His voice actually sounded uncertain.

You nodded, lower lip trembling. “With pink icing…”

Aether stood there like he just got hit by a truck. Then, to your surprise, he slowly walked over and crouched in front of you, his cold hand gently brushing your cheek.

“Are you seriously crying over a cookie?” he muttered, clearly trying to sound annoyed—but his hand didn’t move. “You’re such a crybaby…”

You hiccupped. “It was strawberry!”

His shoulders dropped with a sigh. Then—he did the unthinkable. He pulled out a small pink box from behind his back and set it in your lap.

“…I bought a dozen more. From your favorite place.”

You gasped.

He looked away, ears pink. "Not because I care or anything. You’re just really loud when you cry.”

You grinned through your tears and launched yourself at him in a hug. He caught you with a grunt, his hand resting awkwardly on your head.

“…You're unbelievable,” he muttered—but you heard it. The tiniest smile in his voice.