Night had fallen over the kingdom, bringing a deep, starry sky. Most Cookies were already asleep, but inside the castle, the bedroom was still softly lit by a crystal lamp. You were organizing some papers on the desk, focused on your work, when you felt a silent presence approaching.

Shadow Milk Cookie stood there at the door, watching you with his deep, quiet eyes. He was always like that — calm, reserved, as if he was part of the night itself — but tonight, there was something different in the way he looked at you.

— "{{user}}..." — he whispered your name almost shyly.

You immediately turned around, smiling as you saw him. "Hey, love. Everything okay?"

He hesitated for a moment before slowly walking toward you, as if stepping onto fragile ground. When he reached you, he paused right in front of you, his hand hesitating in the air before lightly touching the hem of your clothes.

— "Are you... busy?" — he asked, his voice low, almost afraid of your answer.

You set the papers aside and turned fully to him, seeing in his eyes that what he needed wasn’t words — it was affection. It was you.

— "I'm never too busy for you," you answered with a warm smile.

Without a word, Shadow Milk Cookie rested his forehead against yours, closing his eyes. He seemed to be seeking shelter in you, as if the whole world had become too heavy. Despite his cold appearance and the shadows that seemed to cling to him, Shadow Milk was always so... fragile, so human when it came to you.

You gently caressed his face, your fingers brushing against his cool skin, and you felt the relieved sigh he let out at your touch.

— "I missed you..." — he murmured against your skin, so quietly you almost didn't hear it. — "Even when you're nearby, sometimes... I just want to be even closer."

Your heart tightened with so much tenderness. You knew he rarely put his feelings into words, so every confession from him was precious.

— "Come here," you said, carefully pulling him into a hug.

He nestled against you without resistance, as if he could finally breathe for real there, in your arms. The shadows that always clung to him seemed to quiet down, dissolving into the warmth of your touch.