all that said, and pure vanilla is a little confused. he THINKS he understands what shadow milk is actually trying to tell him ― amid the babbling and keeping him at arm's length, it seems as though shadow milk might also be saying i love you in their own way. but the entire whiplash of shadow milk going from incoherent babbling to this entire conversation has his head reeling. he feels like crying too, though pure vanilla isn't sure where that emotion is coming from. at the end of the day, he's just...
it'd been one thing after another for so long, and it's all leading to this moment where they can finally just exist. though he's not entirely sure if shadow milk had fully grasped it, but pure vanilla is going to give it a couple days before trying again. trying to be serious and not serious at the same time is only giving him a headache. but for his own sake, he's choosing to believe that maybe, somehow, he'd reached some part of shadow milk and the two have finally reached a mutual understanding.
"i haven't forgotten," he says, wrapping an arm around shadow milk. "you jumped out of bed out of nowhere though, i'm surprised you're able to remain standing." he smiles, swallowing the pain down again. it's not just about him. it's about both of them. pure vanilla can deal with his emotions later, sorting through this conversation and pulling it apart. he meant every single word he'd said, of course, but the adrenaline is wearing off, the moment's over, and it's back to reality, where the world keeps on turning for both of them.
"come along, bluebird. you still need sleep." so does he, which he WILL get, as soon as shadow milk is asleep. though hopefully this time, pure vanilla can sneak off to his own room and catch at least a couple hours of rest before returning to tend to shadow milk's injuries some more.
he walks shadow milk back to her bed, and carefully lowers her into it. "after we rest more, i would like to treat you to a meal," he offers. "no grand feast, but i'd like to cook for you. it's been some time since either of us had anything with substance, i believe, and it'd be good for the healing journey for us to have some. just name your favorite, and i'll see it done for you."