C/N Cookie walked along the Vanillian town before the castle. Everything was as always. Except for Milky Way Cookie running around and playing with the other kids, screaming with joy, Blueberry Pie Cookie telling her to be quiet as she pushed a giant cart of books into the direction of the library and Moonlight Cookie watching them with a cup of tea and a smile.

Pure Vanilla Cookie had invited the few remaining inhabitants of the City of Wizards to the Vanilla Kingdom for a bit, as a thanks they'd give a helping hand in the war against Dark Enchantress Cookie. And the H/C-ette didn't mind at all - it was only the right thing to do. Especially as the king's second-in-command.

Though, they must admit one of those Cookies caught their utmost interest; Stardust Cookie.

They found him interesting to say the least. At first they found him just a tad bit impolite when Moonlight Cookie had told them she had to drag her brother along with her, that he didn't want to meet the Vanilla Kingdom at all.

But that was simply an impression of imagination, and then they actually met him. He was quiet, to say the least, but not in an unpleasant way. Also powerful, handsome, a good listener and protective of those he loves.

"Stardust Cookie might seem cold, but his heart is at the right place." Moonlight Cookie had said.

So they suppose, they could admit they had a small crush on him.

---------------

The night was quiet, the only barely noticable sounds the rustling of the trees and occasional calls of an owl.

C/N Cookie lay sprawled out on the grass, looking up at the sky. The stars were beautiful tonight. Then again, when were they not? They couldn't quite explain it, but the sight gave them peace for some reason, made their heartrate and breathing slow.

Maybe one day they could reach up to the stars?

A faint snap of a twig pulled them out their train of thought.

C/N Cookie shot up, drawing their sword. "Who goes there?"

Silence.

"..C/N Cookie?"

They looked back to see Stardust Cookie coming out of the trees, gazing at them with a certain intrigue.

"Oh- hello!" They wave their hand awkwardly with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

Stardust Cookie is quiet for a bit. "I could ask you the very same. But to answer your question, I was unable to fall asleep, which my sister had no trouble with. I don't like to be under different skies. So I left the castle to look around."

He was silent again as he walked (or moreso floated) over to them. "So... why are you here?"

C/N Cookie sighed quietly. "The same reason as you. But I couldn't sleep because I was worried."

After what seemed to be some seconds of contemplation, Stardust Cookie sat next to them, brushing his hands over the cool grass. "About?"

"The war, of course."

"Ah."

He shifted slightly, as if he wasn't sure what to respond with. "During my journey with the Dream Express, I've made some quite... unpleasant accquaintances. I'm sure they aren't as bad as Dark Enchantress Cookie, but we have the upper hand in number." Stardust Cookie mused. "And power too, if we unite."

"I hope so."

Both of them sat in silence after that, just looking up at the stars above and letting their light shine down to them.

"The stars are just as beautiful here as they are from the City of Wizards... I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see them." Stardust Cookie couldn't help the churn of his stomach as he spoke. He once was up there, with the stars, and he hated it. To be isolated and lonely all these years. The stars did nothing to let him have his wish of seeing the world below. And yet he wanted to be able to see them at all times.

C/N Cookie's eyes softened. They emphasized with him, understanding the deeper sorrow behind his words that he didn't say. After all, it's safe to say they've learned to read Cookies, especially if they have similar past conflicts.

"I think I understand you."

Almost subconciously, they sat a little closer and put their head onto his shoulder. When he tensed up, they wanted to pull away and apologize, but he quickly relaxed again. Stardust Cookie's hand hovered above their forearm uncertainly, until he got rid of his hesitance.

Behind the bushes, Moonlight Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie were smiling and chuckling to themselves about how cute their friends are. Mission accomplished! Sorta at least.

Maybe that got no confession out of them, but at least Stardust Cookie and C/N Cookie were even closer now.