The idea had been ridiculous from the start, yet somehow, Prune Juice Cookie found himself here, standing awkwardly near the drink table at a prom.

Kouign-Amann Cookie had somehow roped him into this, along with Capsaicin Cookie and C/N Cookie, claiming some relative of hers wished she would be here. And she very kindly dragged her entire friendgroup into it.

"C'mon, just think of it as a party! A little dancing, a little drinking - it'll be a blast!" She had said.

Prune Juice Cookie, of course, had protested the entire way here. But here he was, drink in hand, watching as the night unfolded in the chaotic, glittering mess that was a prom.

He did not want to be here.

At first, their little group had stuck together. Capsaicin Cookie had been the life of the party, dragging Kouign-Amann Cookie into the center of the dance floor, spinning her around with all the grace of a sugar-fueled tornado.

C/N Cookie had been somewhere between enjoying the energy of the night and humoring Prune Juice Cookie's complaints.

But eventually, they all scattered. Capsaicin Cookie got swept up in an eating contest (because of course he did), Kouign-Amann Cookie went to find her relative, and C/N Cookie...

Well.

C/N Cookie had discovered the drinks.

Prune Juice Cookie had been minding his own business, watching from the corner, when Kouign-Amann Cookie approached him, a slightly exasperated look on her face. "Hey, Prune, do me a favor?"

His icy eyes narrowed. "No."

She huffed, ignoring his refusal. "C/N Cookie had a little too much to drink. Could you take them home?"

Prune Juice Cookie stared at her, then glanced over at where C/N Cookie was - leaning heavily against a table, looking far too pleased with themself.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "And why can't you do it?"

"Because unlike you, I'm actually having fun." She grinned, patting his shoulder. "You're the responsible one, right?"

Prune Juice Cookie rolled his eyes. "I hate that you think that."

"Love you too! Now, go on, before they start trying to challenge people to arm wrestling or something."

He muttered something under his breath but ultimately made his way over to C/N Cookie. "Alright, you. Time to go."

C/N Cookie blinked up at him, a lazy grin on their face. "Prune Juice Cookieeee" They drawled, leaning in slightly. "Did I ever tell you... you're cute when you're grumpy?"

Prune Juice Cookie sighed. "Yes, actually. Just now."

They snickered, clearly amused by their own antics. "It's true though."

Prune Juice Cookie ignored them, looping an arm around their waist to help steady them. "Let's get you out of here before you do something embarrassing."

C/N Cookie gasped dramatically, placing a hand on their chest. "Me? Embarrassing? Never."

Prune Juice Cookie didn't even dignify that with a response.

The walk home was a drama in itself. C/N Cookie wasn't entirely incapable of walking, but they certainly weren't making it easy for him. Every few steps, they'd either pause to admire the stars, ask some weirdly philosophical question, or simply lean into Prune Juice Cookie with a weight that was definitely not necessary.

"You ever think about how time is just a concept?" C/N Cookie murmured as they shuffled along.

"Yes."

C/N Cookie hummed.

Prune Juice Cookie sighed, adjusting his grip on them. "You're lucky I don't just leave you here."

C/N Cookie gasped again, more theatrically this time. "You wouldn't!"

"Try me."

They pouted, eyes still slightly glassy from the juice they've had. "You're so mean..."

The Parfaedian champion rolled his eyes. "And yet, here I am, dragging your drunk self home."

C/N Cookie didn't argue, instead resting their head against his shoulder. "...You're a good friend."

That made him stiffen up slightly. He wasn't entirely sure why. He just knew that something about the way they said it, all soft and warm, made his stomach do a weird little flip.

"...Yeah, yeah." He muttered, trying to ignore it.

They eventually made it back, and after fighting them for the key, Prune Juice Cookie helped C/N Cookie settle onto their couch with a sigh of relief. He went to grab a glass of water, setting it down in front of them. "Drink this. You'll regret it if you don't."

C/N Cookie just chuckled, then patted the spot next to them. "Sit with me?"

Prune Juice Cookie hesitated. They looked so comfortable, so relaxed, and after dealing with their nonsense all night, maybe he deserved to sit down for a moment.

"...Fine."

As soon as he did, C/N Cookie leaned against him again, holding his arm. "You're warm." They murmured sleepily.

Prune Juice rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the smirk crawling up his face.

Maybe this prom nonsense hadn't been completely terrible after all.