Ship: EspressoLine

CW: Contains slight TF

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Madeleine Cookie was preparing for a trip. Having heard his power in the light was needed in a quest he couldn't deny it. "I will be back in a week or longer depending on how long it takes to complete this quest."

"And you came here to tell me?" Espresso asked, seeing how the paladin barged into his apartment.

"Well of course, I needed to inform those who know me that I will be gone. Of course, I know you will keep yourself from grieving from the loss of my presence." The blond stated. "Farwell, see you in a week!"

The mage watched as the paladin left with a sigh. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he had feelings for the blonde. He wasn't sure why though. "I might just be Moronsexual. Though he is quite strong... Oh well, it's not like he has much interest in a cookie like me." He thought as he went back to his work.

He had discovered a new material, a dark goo-like substance made of pure espresso concentrate. It had the consistency of molasses and a dark brown color. "I see..." The mage stated to himself as he rotated the sealed test tube the syrup was in.

As he took notes on the goo, his mind started to wander. "He might not come back... What if he doesn't come back? What if he's lost? What if he-" His thoughts rushed around his head, making him lose focus and drop the test tube.

"Gah! Ugh I got glass everywhere..." He groaned, going to get a dustpan. But as he was doing that, he failed to notice that he stepped into the goop, causing some of it to absorb into him. As he was about to clean up the glass, he felt... Odd.

The feeling of loneliness that was usually small inside of him, had felt more vivid. "What... Is this feeling...?" He gasped as he felt it consume him. Not only did his emotions change, but so did his appearance. His hair became unkempt, and his eyes became narrow. Most drastic was the texture of his dough. It was glossier and softer, like he was becoming goo. Not to mention he was growing tendrils from his back.

The transformation wasn't painless, in fact it was quite painful, but the only thing to come out of his mouth was one word.

"Madeleine..."

It was soft, like a newborn cake puppy's yap. All he could do was cry for him, his emotions flooding his senses. As he whined, thoughts of self-loathing filled his head.

"He wouldn't want to be with someone as pathetic as me, why would I think he would?"

"I'm not even strong enough to hold a vial, how did I think he'd not like someone like me."

"He would hate me forever if he found out, I wouldn't blame him..."

As he spiraled in self-pity, the mage didn't hear the door open. "Espresso, are you in?"

It was his younger sister, Latte. "I just wanted to check on you, you haven't responded to the phone, and I was getting worried." She called out, looking for Espresso. As soon as she found him, she was shocked. "Espresso? Is that you? What happened?" She asked, then seeing the broken vial and understanding. Though she was just concerned that her brother is a different creature now. All she got in response was "Madeleine..."

"Madeleine? Oh, are you worried about him? Don't worry I'm sure he'll be back. He faced worse, from what I heard. I assure you; he'll be okay." Latte stated, trying to comfort her brother. This ended up working, causing Espresso to regain his crunchy self. "Ugh... What was that? Did the espresso concentrate do that...?" He asked.

"I suppose so. Uh, how about you take a break from that and help me with something." Latte stated, thinking taking his mind off of the situation will help him not transform back into the creature.

"... If you're just asking me to help you grade paper, this is the last time I'm helping..." He stated. Thankfully being in the presence of his sister helped calm the monster within him. "Thanks so much, Espresso." Latte smiled.

"It's nothing. Now then, I should go and study more-"

"Wait... I know you don't really sleep but, I think you should stay the night. I'll make sure you're comfortable here." Latte stated.

"As much as I appreciate you going out of your way to make sure I don't turn, I need to clean up and re-contain the rest of the espresso concentrate so it doesn't affect anyone else." Espresso commented.

"Right well, good night. Oh! Before I forget, I'm going to be calling you at 3 pm every day until Madeleine comes back, just to check on you, okay?"

"Okay."

Soon enough, the seven days passed quickly and as promised, Madeleine had returned. "Oh, you're back."

"Indeed, I am, and I cannot wait to tell you about my adventure!" The paladin cheered.

"How about we go to a cafe and talk about it? I could use some coffee." Espresso stated.

"Very well as long as you are comfortable when I tell you about what happened."

Once the coffee was acquired, the two sat in a booth and Madeleine started yapping about his adventure. Espresso just listened to his voice, not really paying attention to the words. That was until the blonde said something.

"So, I met this cookie during my journey."

"Oh...? Is that so...?"

"Yes, they were quite cute and rather charming, they even wanted me to stay a while longer, though I couldn't. But they kissed my hand as farewell." The paladin beamed, not aware of the action's flirtatious nature.

Hearing that was like a bullet in the heart of the mage. "Cute? He thought someone was cute...? I knew it. He falls for everyone else but me... Not that I blame him... Maybe... I was made to be lonely..." He thought before getting up, not even finishing his coffee. He could feel the changes starting, and not wanting to embarrass himself, Espresso decided to run. "I need to go home now, I uh, left the stove on."

"Wait, Espresso-"

But it was too late, the coffee mage ran out of the cafe. The blonde swiftly paid for the coffee before making haste.

Espresso closed the door of his apartment, slowly letting himself succumb to the emotions. "I bet they did more than just kiss his hand; I think they went the whole 9 yards and kissed his lips... Those lips... I shouldn't have been such an asshole to him... If I wasn't he'd still have a chance with him..." He stated, his tone starting to get quieter and meeker to more he gave in.

After about thirty minutes there was a knock at his door. Peeking out the window, he saw that it was Madeleine. "Madeleine...?" He whined. "Why is he here...? To confirm that he's interested in this new cookie... He doesn't even know them and yet he let them kiss him..." He thought as he watched the other cookie knock more.

"Espresso, let me in before I have to break in!" He shouted at the door trying to be heard. That was until he saw Espresso in his slimy monstrous form. "A beast!"

Thinking Madeleine was going to literally murder him, he slunk his way into the small bathroom to hide. Madeleine then broke down his front door with the sword. "Fear not Espresso I'm here to save you! ... Wherever you are!" He exclaimed as he started looking.

As the paladin searched for the mage, he noticed the notes on the table. Taking a gander at the notes, he decided to read them:

"Espresso Concentrate:

Causes subject to turn into a gooey slime-like creature that feels mostly self-pity and loneliness. Effects of Espresso Concentrate can be reverted if comforted. Accidental test subject, Espresso Cookie."

"So Espresso experimented on himself? I guess that's what that creature is doing in his apartment. I should try looking for him!" He exclaimed as he went and searched everywhere for him. As he approached the bathroom, he heard soft sobs coming. They sounded distorted but he knew that was because of the transformation.

"Espresso, are you in there?" The paladin asked, only getting a soft whine in response. "You are... I know I may have startled you before, but please, I don't want to hurt you. Please... Come out." He softly said, his tone quiet to not startle his friend. Opening the door, he saw him. "Hey, it's going to be alright, I'm here..."

"Madeleine!" Espresso exclaimed, shocked to see that the paladin wasn't going to kill him. He was about to embrace him but... Then his self-deprecating thoughts came in. "Maybe he should have killed me, that way I don't have to deal with him talking about his lover..." He thought, whimpering a bit before backing away. "Oh, is something the matter?"

Espresso could tell him in words, luckily, he wrote down something during the time Madeleine was away, as per Latte's advice. "Oh? You wrote me a note?" The paladin asked, reading it.

"Dear Madeleine Cookie,

I must inform you that I have a crush on you. I know this may be shocking but believe me when I say these feelings are genuine. If you do not return these feelings, I do not blame you. But I must make these feelings known.

- Love, Espresso."

After reading the letter of confession, the paladin blushed and went silent as he put the letter to the side. Espresso thought he was mad at him, causing him to squeak softly and back away. "No, wait, Espresso. I... I'm just a little shocked because... Well... I never thought you'd like me back." The paladin explained.

Espresso was surprised to say the least. "He... He doesn't hate me...?" He thought before the blonde hugged him in his gooey mass. "Eep!"

"I love you Espresso. I love your dedication to magic, I love your eyes, I love the little smirks you do, I love everything about you, dear Espresso!" He exclaimed softly, embracing him more. After a bit, Espresso started returning to his regular shape. "I... You really love me? I-I've been nothing but mean to you, how could-"

"I love you because I love you." Madeleine interrupted.

"But that cookie who kissed your hand... You didn't go after them?"

"No, mainly because I love you. If I were in a relationship with someone I wasn't in love with, that would be bad for both of us."

"I-I don't know what to say..."

"Then kiss me until you can find the words." Madeleine stated. And so Espresso, hesitantly at first, leaned towards him, kissing him on the lips. It felt amazing, it felt right. Once they seperated for air, Espresso spoke. "I love you too, Madeleine."

The paladin beamed with delight, picking up the mage. "I shall take you to my home, seeing how I broke your door down, you'll need somewhere to live while it's being replaced."

Espresso just let out a soft sigh. "Alright, carry me away." He said with a soft smile on his face.