Shadow Milk Cookie lays collapsed on the ground, his entire form trembling. Behind him a book lies, seemingly the cause of his fall. He had tripped over it, not knowing it was there due to him having no sight. The jester makes no attempt to move from his spot on the floor, too distraught to do so.

“ I know. ” Turning his body a bit towards it, resting a hand on the back of his head again.

“ It's not your fault. ” Rubbing at his shoulders, trying to offer as much comfort as he can. He's.. not used to doing so anymore.

Sighing softly, leaning his head against his. Holding him close. “ I'm not surprised. It's to be expected. ”

Using his other hand to help him sit up. Moving off the arm to sit next to him, wrapping his arms around him.

Pulling his hand back for a moment, waiting for him to remove the shoulder plate. Placing his hand back on his shoulder. Gentle rubs.

🦈 I JUST REALIZED 😭 I'm tired

Snapping his fingers to despawn his book. His full attention now on SSalt. Gentle rub at her shoulder plate. He's also quiet.

Glancing down at him for a moment, before reaching down to rest a hand on his shoulder. He knows.

Moving to sit on the arm of the couch. Summoning a book to read. He's sticking around to watch over him, how sweet.

Snickering. Snapping his fingers, transforming the chair into a couch. Hovering back up, to lay the other down.

“ Sure, sure. Whatever you say, my friend. ” Snickering quietly. Silly old men.

“ Whatever you say, PeePaw. ” Stifling a laugh from the yawn. Lifting a hand to rest on the back of SSalt's head.

“ Yes. Yes you do. ” Positioning himself to offer a shoulder for the other beast to lay his head on.

“ Don't you 'pleh' me. You need to sleep. ” Wrapping his arms around him, gently trying to pull him closer.

“ Hmmm.. ” Glancing back at him. Leaning in to nuzzle at him. “ Perhaps you could benefit from a nap! ”

“ How interesting. ” Humming quietly to himself in thought. His eyes widen for a moment, before glancing away. “ You seem tired, Salty. ”

“ What? I do? Do I really? ” He tenses for a moment, before relaxing. Queer alert.

“ Good enough. ” Snickering a bit. A quiet squeak from the boop. Mrrps.

“ Hey now, you gotta say it confidently. ” Gentle squeeze at his hand, before pulling his own hands back. Little fidget with his sleeves.

Looong dramatic sigh. Silly boomer beast. “ It's a nickname to call you silly! That is what it is! ”

“ We can work on that together. ” Pulling a hand back, gently patting at his head. ” It's an expression, friend! Like Silly billy. ”

“ It's fine. ” Shaking his head and rapidly blinking. Taking a deep breath, before masking his current emotions. “ You really gotta stop apologizing so much for things! Silly goose. ”

Shadow Milk stays silent (haha). Messing with their hands as a distraction, while occasionally squeezing. A sniffle..

He goes quiet. Unsure of.. what to say. Sighing, he moves his attention back down to their hands, lightly brushing his thumb against the other's.

🦈 psps, for the event

He's narrowing his eyes slightly, brows furrowed. Little squeeze to his hand. The room is gone. The closet is glass. “ Silent Salt. ”

“ . . You're going to be the death of me, I swear. ” How scandalous. How fruity. Like, get a room zestfests.

” Who even taught you boowomp? Because that certainly wasn't me! ” Automatically intertwining his fingers with the other. It's pure instinct at this point.

Distraught blinking. Pulling his hand back. “ God, you're so old. ”

“ Quit that – ” Pressing a finger to his lips to shush him. “ Maybe think twice before headbutting someone next time. ”

“ Gosh, I regret teaching you these terms. ” Little huff. He pouts with a squint. “ Yeah, it did. Almost gave me a concussion! ”

“ Ack – ” Light little yelp from the headbutt, pulling a hand back to rub at his head. “ What in the world — what was that for? ”

“ I know you did. ” His expression doesn't change, though a bit of regret is hidden within his tone. He feels bad.

“ Ah, so I see. I suppose that's fair, our jobs as the Virtues were quite stressful. ” Leaning in to give him a gentle nuzzle. Aw.

“ For someone who's name has Silent in it, you weren't really silent there! You want to gnaw on my nails! ”

Pause. Looking back up at him and raising a brow. “ You are not slick, my friend. I heard that loud and clear. ”

” Oh, I forgot about that.. -- I guess I should be careful with my own then. Don't wanna cut ya. ” Little frown. Gentle tappy taps, little tickle.

“ I'll even add glitter to them so we're matching! ” He purrs, wiggling excitedly. Giggling a bit from the taps. “ Why would you file them? They look great sharp! ”

“ Exactly! ” Humming softly, glancing down at his hands. Little gentle taps at his hands. ” You should totally let me paint your nails. ”

“ Oh, Pssh! It's fine, it happens sometimes! Who am I to judge? ” Scandalous hand holding. Gently squeezing his hands, grinning from ear to ear.

🦈 went from wanting to kill Smilk to 'what are we' /silly

“ Lovely then! ” Humming quietly. He's noticed. Pulling his hand back from his face, and reaching to grab a hold of his hands instead.

“ Well, do you have any objections? ” Tilting his head and raising his brow. He does not feel like moving!

Fruity cookie. Little tappy taps. Blows a raspberry. “ The taps? ”

“ I'll keep that in mind, then! ” Gentle little taps on his cheeks. Taking a seat on his lap, criss-crossed. Woah.

Tilting his head, snickering to himself. Reaching with a hand to cup his face again. “ You like the little tappy taps? ”

” Oh, am I? I hadn't realized! ” The ears on the headband are.. flicking. No way they just turned into real cat ears. Happily tapping at him.

“ I'm not doing anything, I have no clue what you're talking about. ” How silly. Lifting his head up with a sly grin. Tappy taps.

He's giggling quietly and lightly tapping at his armor. “ I'm special! ”