Pure vanilla and dark cacao

The apartment was unusually quiet when Dark Cacao finally opened his eyes.

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting warm streaks across the bedroom. He groaned softly, stretching his broad frame before reaching toward the other side of the bed.

Empty.

For a brief second, panic flickered through him.

Then the smell hit.

Fresh coffee. Toasted bread. Something sweet.

Dark Cacao smiled immediately.

"Vanilla..."

Throwing on a shirt, he padded toward the kitchen, following the scent. The moment he stepped through the doorway, he found Pure Vanilla already busy at the counter.

His blond hair was tied into its usual knot, a few loose strands framing his sun-kissed face. One blue eye and one yellow eye glanced over briefly as he stirred something in a pan. A fluffy orange cat sat proudly on the counter beside him, supervising.

The table was already set.

Coffee.

Fruit.

A full breakfast.

And, somehow, even a small packed lunch sitting beside Dark Cacao's usual seat.

"You were supposed to sleep in," Dark Cacao said, leaning against the doorway.

Pure Vanilla nearly jumped.

"Oh, stars—! Don't sneak up on me like that."

Dark Cacao winced slightly.

"Sorry."

"You know loud surprises make me panic."

Despite the complaint, Pure Vanilla's expression softened almost immediately.

Dark Cacao walked over and wrapped his arms around Pure Vanilla's waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder.

The doctor huffed.

"You are heavy."

"You love me."

"...Unfortunately."

Dark Cacao laughed.

A genuine, warm laugh.

The kind only Pure Vanilla ever managed to get from him.

His eyes drifted to the breakfast spread.

"You made all this before work?"

"You have military training all morning."

"And?"

"And last time you skipped breakfast and survived on an energy drink."

"..."

"You came home looking like you fought a bear."

"I won."

"You lost."

Dark Cacao buried his face into Pure Vanilla's shoulder dramatically.

"You're mean."

"I'm a doctor."

"Same thing."

The cat meowed loudly as if agreeing.

Pure Vanilla pointed at the table.

"Sit."

"Yes, doctor."

As Dark Cacao took his seat, he watched Pure Vanilla move around the kitchen, humming quietly to himself.

A familiar warmth settled in his chest.

Not from the coffee.

Not from the food.

But from the simple fact that after years of chaos, work, and responsibilities...

This was home.

And somehow, every morning, Pure Vanilla made it feel that way.