"You can't just lead them head on into battle! What we need is a strategy."

C/N Cookie was, in fact, the only one Burning Spice Cookie would ever allow to argue with him.

"Since when have you perceived me as the type to follow plans? I face battle however and whenever I please!"

He is a god - destruction and war his best powers, Cookies cowering in fear and or worshipping him. Like Shadow Milk Cookie bathed in the stage light, he bathed in respect. He wouldn't bow down to anybody. Nobody.

But then there was her.

Cookies usually bored him. Only few were deemed worthy of his attention. Yes, she was a strong member of the Wild Spices, and a good friend to Nutmeg Tiger Cookie, and she was impressive, but she didn't have anything to do with him. Why should he care about her?

And yet, he did. Probably more than he should.

In just the few times they met, the fleeting moments they shared, Burning Spice Cookie found himself oddly intrigued with her. She was strong, beautiful, and most of all - didn't back down. Never. And that was incredibly admirable.

If he had to, he would try to strike down the Witches themselves, demolish everything in his path once more if it meant to keep her safe.

Because a world without her would be one he'd refuse to accept.

"Burning Spice Cookie."

He looked at her.

She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Hey. Were you listening to me?"

"..No..."

"I thought so." C/N Cookie sighed. "I think the dummy had to pay for it."

Burning Spice Cookie turned and looked at the old training doll that his axe was stuck in, with heavy, smoking slashes and now missing its head. The two were at one of the Wild Spices' training grounds.

"You'll set the whole training grounds on fire if you keep going like that." She teased, leaning onto her spear.

"Tch." He took out his axe with easy and threw one last punch, sending the dummy tumbling backward. "If it burns, it shall burn. That is my way."

She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "You seem irritated. And you've been... acting weird lately. More distant."

He crossed his arms and looked away. He had been debating this for so long, too long. It was infuriating. It was just back-and-forth in his own head. His pride was a roaring fire, but for once, it felt fragile, flickering in the wind.

"Fine." He exhaled with a grunt, running a hand through his black hair. "You wanna know what's wrong? You are."

C/N Cookie blinked. "Me?"

"Yes you!" His gaze snapped to hers, intense as ever, like a fire threatening to consume everything in its path. "You are in my head all the time. It's... irritating. I keep thinking about you, even on the battlefield, when I am training and fighting. It's distracting."

"Oh." C/N Cookie's eyes widened, her heartrate picking up.

"Oh?" He mimicked, frustrated. "That's all you have to say?"

She bit back a grin, watching him fume. He was clearly struggling, and yet it was oddly endearing. "I mean, you sound a bit mad about it."

"Because I am mad about it!" He grit his teeth. "I don't understand. Why now? Why you? Why does it feel like my flames and spice are out of control whenever you're around?" He exhaled sharply, scowling at the ground. "It doesn't make sense. However... I don't loathe it either."

That last part came out quieter.

C/N Cookie chuckled, before bursting into full-blown laughter.

"HEY! What are you laughing about? How dare you disrespect the Lord of Destruction?!"

"Burning Spice Cookie, that's great! Don't you see?" She grinned brightly.

He frowned. "What is? Explain."

"Right, um-" C/N Cookie took a deep breath, still smiling. "I've also been... feeling weirdly around you lately, and-"

Burning Spice Cookie raised his eyebrows.

She coughed into her hand. "And I... can't seem to recognize it as anything but love."

"You- what."

He stared at her. She nodded.

"...Hmph." He huffed finally, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... good. Good. Took you long enough to admit it."

She narrowed her eyes. "You just confessed to me first!"

"Details." He muttered, the corners of his mouth pointing upward in a smirk.

Suddenly, C/N Cookie reached out, grabbing his hand before he could say anything. His grip was warm - almost too warm - but she didn't mind.

"Guess this means we're a thing now, huh?" She teased, looking up at him with twinkling eyes.

"Looks like it." His hold on her hand tightened, slightly, as if grounding himself in the reality. He grinned, suddenly lifting her up onto his shoulder and triumphantly raising the axe in his other hand. "This calls for a celebration!"

(i find his sprites so goofy for no reason)