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Almond arrived at the huge ceremony hall, cookies lined the walls talking amongst themselves. Tables set up in pink and grey colour theme, noticeable of the groom and bride. A few cookies were already seated, some wore elegant gowns and fully tailored tuxes, while others just threw on some old but very nice looking clothes they had. That’s exactly what almond did, since he didn’t know the bride or the groom as well as they thought.
He only came to be nice. He’d usually just stay home during these events and get some extra work done because more times often than not he got invites because out of pity, or the groom wished to brag to almond who is divorced.
He grabbed his seating card that read “table 5.” He looked at it and wondered if he read that right, table 5 is close friends and family. He shook his head and sighed shoving the card into his pocket. Headed to the table he couldn’t help but look around at the other cookies, he saw a few familiar faces amongst those cookies. He came almost to an abrupt stop noticing the very well dressed and elegant stature of a cookie sitting at table 5.
“Ah Latte! My coffee scented friend!” Madeleine cookie greeted with the brightest grin almond had ever seen on the cookies face. His eyebrows furrowed looking at the two talking, the two had never been close before.
To be fair Almond hadn’t spoken to latte in over 9 months, or even seen her in those days.
He took a deep inhale and walked to the seat across from Latte, who now stood holding Madeleine’s hand with a sweet grin.
She wore a beige dress that seemed to go past her ankle and lay on the ground, it had a slit on the left side revealing her black thigh high boots with black lace on the end. Her hair was tied back into a braided bun, two Bobby pins held it up and one fancy looking pin, white with black crystals on it.
He was staring at her for too long, sighing he turned away and looked at the bride, she talked with her friends and bridesmaids giggling and reminiscing on past times of the brides old days where she would say she didn’t want to settle down. He couldn’t tell.
“Detective!” It was cream puff, she was short and wearing a white dress laced with flowers, pink and grey like the venue. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was the flower girl for the couple.
“Hello, cream puff. You look very nice.” He greeted the young girl who grinned at him her hands behind her back. Around her arm hung a basket full with what he assumed was petals of pink roses.
“Thank you, detective!” She seemed thankful for the compliment. “You look very nice as well.” He really didn’t, unlike the young girl in front of him he looked very plain and like he didn’t want to be at the event at all. He seemed tired from the perspective of the others.
Almond simply gave a nod to cream puffs compliment, he glanced over to where latte and madeleine were standing, to his surprise latte was staring at him, fondly, like she was daydreaming of something.
He looked back at cream puff who was also looking at latte. “She looks sad..” she mumbled, most likely hoping he hadn’t heard her at all. “What do you mean?” He asked her, as suspected she had been hoping he hadn’t heard her because she had jumped when he asked.
“O-Oh I just mean, h-her stature from before is now more slump and her upturned smile is now a slight— slight frown.” She stuttered like she did when she was younger and in the academy as one of latte’s many students.
Cream puff knew latte better than her ex-husband did. Despite being her student for only 4 years at most, she still knew her better. when the two were married almond often times couldn’t pay attention to latte due to his job at the station. He felt like shit every time he thought back to their marriage.
“But anyway…she’s probably not sad, just calm..” she added looking away. “I’ll see you sir, enjoy the wedding.” She gave a soft smile as she left.
Almond looked down at his hands that now held the seating card, the writing on it looked handwritten and not printed out, like the table number was. The couple wasn’t usually like this, not like he knew the couple well enough to know what they would do. he was babbling at himself in his head at that point. He glanced up at her again, she wasn’t there.
She probably left to find her brother, espresso. He sighed looking around and noticed a certain blond cookie working behind the bar. Even with the distance between the two he could tell that sparkling was having the time of his life talking to and serving guests. Very hesitantly he walked towards the charming cookie.
“Almond!” He greeted shaking up a drink for another guests. “How are you, handsome?” He winked at almond, his mouth pulled to a smirk.
As much as almond drank, he never could stand the one bartender in the kingdom. He was sweet but god was he annoyingly flirtatious with him. granted he was like that with almost everyone, but god did he hate it.
“I’m fine.” He finally answered. Sparkling noticed the change in his usual answer of “good.” And that would usually sum it up to the week. “What’s wrong?” Sparkling asked prioritizing almond above the others. “Nothing.”
Sparkling despite his flirtatious demeanour he did care and often did analyze others, that’s how he appealed to so many people. It was like he took a class in physiology in some sort of schooling, but by his job almond sort of removed that possibility from his mind.
“Look, Almond.” That caught him off guard. “I’m not dumb you’re not “fine.” You’re feeling or thinking something up in that brain.” He pointed at almonds forehead, making almond flinch.
“Why’d ya flinch?” Sparkling questioned, moving his hand back, sparklings look changed from a sweet caring look to a genuine concern.
“I came over here to stop feeling like… well horrible. And now that I’m here I feel worse.” Almond didn’t usually have outbursts like that, and when he did it would be with his job, and suspects.
He gave a sigh. “My apologies, I’ll talk to you later..” then he went back to his seat, where he sat alone, he had no idea who else sat their with him other than latte.
Okay so yeah appearing at this wedding or even responding to that invite, was a huge mistake, he truly didn’t want to be here anymore. Looking around again, nothing much changed, other than people were removing themselves from the building and heading outside where he assumed the ceremony was happening.
A turquoise wearing cookie sat beside him, cane leaning up against the table with a click.
“Oh, hello darling” almond looked up at Roquefort, the man wore a turquoise turtle neck sweater with a cream coloured suit jacket and the same top hat he always wore. Even if almond did hate him, he’d have to admit; Roquefort looked stunning as he always did.
“Hello, Roquefort, you look…” Almond didn’t want to say it out-loud to him, he didn’t want to feed Roqueforts huge ego. Even if he hadn’t finished his sentence, Roquefort knew exactly what he wanted to say.
“Stunning? I know.” The thief said with a hint of confidence laced with his words, his hands folded themselves onto the table.
“You came alone, Detective?”
And then fell silence. The only sound that was heard was chatter from the cookies remaining in the building. Almond had no reason not to answer, he sat alone at that table, hell he wasn’t even talking to anyone. He looked exhausted to the point if he slept he wouldn’t be able to wake again.
Roquefort stared at him waiting for an answer. He didn’t need to answer him, even if he did he wouldn’t care. Not like Roquefort had come here with anyone, or maybe he did…Almond genuinely didn’t know. He still didn’t need to answer, but Roquefort was just staring at him, watching and making him feel awkward.
“Well?” Roquefort questioned.
“Detective! Detective!” Cream puff came running to Almond, saving him from the awkward question without her knowing. “Oh— oops— sorry sir.” She gave a slight curtsy. Roquefort gave a hat tip to the girl.
“The ceremony is starting, come on!” She grabbed his hand and pulled ever so lightly. His suspension was right, the ceremony was happening outside, how did he not notice that when he walked up to the venue.
“Okay okay..” he stood up and put on his coat, even though it wasn’t too cold outside. Better safe then sorry.
“Sir, are you coming?” Cream puff asked Roquefort, who was already standing leaning slightly on his cane. “Oh! yes, of course!”
The three headed outside, people were standing, sitting and waiting. From what almond gathered some probably have been their since the morning, it was now three in the afternoon.
“Take a seat, or stand. Up to you.” Cream puff gave a sweet smile to almond and Roquefort. She than left them, some petals falling from the basket she held.
The wedding soon started, it was elegant and beautiful. The bride looked stunning as she should on her wedding, and her husband seemed to be in tears from her. Surely they did love each other.
“Well?” Roquefort said hushed as not to interrupt the vows and all. “Are you gonna tell me if you came alone?” This question wasn’t gonna leave him alone Huh? Almond sighed and shook his head, still not answering.
“Just tell me, detective..” Almond didn’t understand why he was so embarrassed to answer this question. It was simple he could just say he came alone, there’s no shame in that. A lot of people came to weddings alone. It was normal…at least he hoped it was.
“I…”
“Hmm?”
“I came alone.” That was way more embarrassing to say out loud then he intentionally thought.
Roquefort looked at almond with slight shock. At least he was quiet, now almond can pay attention to the god for saken wedding he didn’t even want to be at. Why was he even complaining he dragged himself there and had the ability to leave anytime he pleased.
“That’s really sad.” Roquefort finally said giving his cane a slight twirl. He was still hushed, just more judgemental now.
“You’re one to talk..” Almond scoffed, sliding his jacket off. “You came alone too..” Was that an attempt to make himself feel better? Because honestly he didn’t know if Roquefort even had a date or not.
“I actually didn’t.” He smiled looking forward at the second row where latte sat by herself, she smiled sweetly at the couple saying their vows.
“Than who did you come with..?” Almond asked also looking at latte. He didn’t come with latte did he?
“I’ll give you a hint. She’s a sweet lady.”
“I’m not guessing..”
“Fine. I guess it’ll forever be a mystery.”
He didn’t want to know, or maybe he did and he was lying to himself. What is up with almond? He’s never like this, maybe his exhaustion finally is having a toll on him.
He glanced at Roquefort, confidence and the need to never work cause you steal everything. How amazing would that be? Having not to freak out cause you forgot something? Maybe than he would still be married to latte. Maybe than he’d still be able to talk to his daughter with out feeling awkward or nervous.
The ceremony finally finished, everyone headed inside. He walked behind Roquefort, who had latte walking calmly beside him, apparently Roquefort came with latte who was going to come with espresso but he already had a plus one. So now it’s more awkward for almond.
Table 5, intentional seating plan. Made by the bride and groom, they hated almond or something. He felt it. That sounded stupid, why would they hate him? Exactly, it’s dumb.
Roquefort sat between almond and Latte giving a bright grin, he noticed the awkwardness but didn’t care it was fun. Well more enjoyable than anything. He was definitely having the time of his life.
“How do you two know each other?” Roquefort asked.
“Divorced.” Latte said calmly. “It was years ago.”
“Yeah, she requested the divorce.” Almond added for no particular reason he just said it. Latte got visibly more angry, but even than she still kept her elegant stature.
“Oh? Interesting.” Roquefort smiled sweetly looking at Latte. “If you don’t mind me asking why?—“
Latte sighed. “I’m not telling you, Roquefort.” She looked away from the two men. No idea what she was looking at, but her eyes showed slight anger. “Stop staring at me, detective.”
Almond gave a slight nod, she hadn’t called him detective since before their marriage and now that she had, it hurt. It shouldn’t have hurt but it…it did.
He missed his wife, it has been years you’re being dumb. She doesn’t want you back it’s clear, stop wallowing on the past. He looked at Roquefort to try and do something… he wasn’t sure what.
Roquefort had his eyes closed with a soft smile, he hadn’t had ties with either of them, well he had one with almond but it wasn’t good. He stared, and stared until Roquefort looked back. “Are you admiring me, dear?”
He jumped slightly. “Uh—“ he wasn’t sure how to answer he sure as hell wasn’t admiring him, but he was staring without a reason. Now he had to come up with a reason.
“It’s fine. You don’t need to answer.” He gave a wave of reassurance. Almond sighed, he should just leave. Looking at latte for a split second, he remembered that he was the one who absolutely destroyed their relationship, and the last time they seen each other nine months ago, he screwed that up too.
He pointed the blame on her for their marriage not working even though it was him that made the relationship not work, they sure as hell loved each other before that, but living together and marrying are completely different things.
Marriage is commitment, which he wasn’t ready for even though he had everything he wanted…
He stood up with his jacket over his arm as he headed to the exit. He was leaving he didn’t want to be here anymore, he didn’t want to sit at that table with her, he didn’t want to see her anymore even if he did want to see her. God he is pathetic, he’s leaving a wedding because his ex-wife is there. What a loser—
“Detective?” It was princess cookie. “Are you leaving so soon? Dinner isn’t even served yet.” She was so sweet to him for absolutely no reason, he didn’t deserve her kindness.
“Is something wrong?” Princess asked him, she looked genuine…an act? Maybe he wasn’t sure… right now he was never sure of anything. “Nothing, just bored? I guess?” He never used the word guess he’d always be certain on what he was saying.
“You sound unsure.” Lilac, who sat beside princess cookie, commented. “You also look exhausted.” He was just pointing out the obvious, painfully obvious. Lilac was observant, he’d point out the little things a lot of the time and not the stuff one can see with just a glance.
“I’m fine, I always look like this.” Almond inhaled, rubbing his eyes. “I’m overworked all the time, so it makes sense I look like this..”
“I know, but you look even more exhausted.” Oh, well still it was still obvious why he looked like that! He’s an overworked man, never getting a break.
But He wasn’t wrong… almonds eye bags were more noticeable than ever now, before they looked like wrinkles but now it was clear; they were eye bags.
“Princess, maybe he should go home.” Lilac said. “But the dance hasn’t started yet!” Princess gave a slight whine, she seemed to want to see almond dance. He wasn’t a good dancer, he never danced.
“Princess…”
“Lilac…”
Almond stared at the two with no idea what was happening. The two stared at each other until lilac looked away with a wave. “You win.”
Why did he always sound so monotonous?
“Yay!” She basically screeched in excitement. “Okay! Okay! Please stay, Almond!” She begged standing, she was slightly shorter than him. “Please?” She grabbed his hands.
He couldn’t just say no. Princess cookie was a darling, and much like others he couldn’t tell her no. He sighed. “Fine, but can I sit with you two?” He asked, Princess let his hands go with a smile.
Lilac raised a brow at him. He was gonna have to explain his reasoning, okay maybe now he didn’t want to sit anywhere. “Why?” Of course he was gonna ask, now come up with a reason, idiot.
Tell him the truth, you don’t want to sit with your wife that’s the whole reason you were leaving, was it not? Okay no he would say no to that.
“You don’t need to tell us, go ahead sit down.” Princess smile at almond. Yeah she was really a dear. He smiled sweetly at her, or what he assumed a sweet smile was, thinking of it it probably didn’t look all that nice.
He sat down across from lilac, he sighed.
It seemed pathetic sitting here. He was so scared of his ex and the awkwardness between them, he was going to leave a wedding he already rsvp’d too and arrived at. He was a fearless man from the outside, but looking in you’d see he was a coward.
Dinner was finally served, it was nice. A 3 course meal with a lot of well meat, seems like the couple enjoyed meat maybe a little too much in almonds opinion. But he wasn’t one to judge.
Finishing the meal, left two things to do before this wedding ended: Toasts and the dances. That last one is what Princess wanted him to do, he still wondered why.
The toasts were sweet, some tears were shed. Noticeably a lot of the groomsmen who made toasts made fun of the fact that almond was there and not sitting in his seat he was assigned to. Thankfully enough Princess was well nice enough to say something. Essentially she stood up for the man who couldn’t, and he thanked her for it.
Almond honestly felt more need to leave after that, he got made fun of by men 10 years younger then he was and he was protected by a woman of the same age range. It was demeaning and hurtful, he was so close to leaving before Princess stopped him. She definitely wanted him to dance or she could actually care, he didn’t know he also didn’t care.
The toasts finally finished and that lead into a dance between the two newly married couple. It was elegant and so proper, latte’s and his wasn’t like that it was silly and fun, got a lot of laughs and enjoyment out of both of them. He watched as the groom spun his bride around, making her giggle and smile. He knew what he was doing, elegant but also fun.
He cared and almond knew damn well their marriage wouldn’t end up like his, that’s what made it so sweet.
“You’re remising on something aren’t you?” Lilac said, the girl who sat beside him was too infatuated with the couple dancing to pay attention to what he was saying. “Oh. Yeah I am.” Almond said taking a sip of the drink he got earlier from the meal. “is it about your past relations with the coffee witch?” He knew exactly what, almond gave a light nod.
“Ah…you want to talk about it?” Weird, he’d never even ask Princess if she wanted to talk, hell even his friend over seas he wouldn’t ask that. Why only with him? Maybe because Princess was consistently talking and yogurt cream just impulsively told Lilac anything anyway.
“Well, it’s just this wedding is reminding my of what I did wrong with me and hers relation, I mean look at the couple. She’s happy and in love with him, and he feels the same, they wouldn’t prioritize anything other than each other.” He gave a soft sigh, he tapped his finger twice on the table as lilac stayed quiet, likely he didn’t know what to say or he was thinking of what to say.
“Oh.”
All he had to say was oh? Almond finally told him something he didn’t share with anyone and he says oh? Really! Why did he care so much? Was it because it was something he didn’t want to share but did anyway? He sighed. “Yeah.”
The dance finished between the couple, it was now dancing between the guests. It started off with just a simple partner dance, lovely time other than the fact that Roquefort and Latte were dancing together. They did come together, why wouldn’t they dance together? But what made it so horrible is that they were so giggly throughout it too.
Every damn step they took it only got better for them, while Almond sat there next two Princess cookie who smiled happily and Lilac cookie who had a face with no emotion. He was happy probably but either way he showed nothing.
Almond watched them, a soft strained smile placed on his lips. Latte probably asked Roquefort to dance, she did love dancing. She’s grinning and laughing while he gave a soft wink to her. No— he didn’t like that, he didn’t like this wedding. He didn’t like any of this.
He did like Latte.
He continued to watch them, he didn’t know what else to comment in his head or out loud. He was just staring at them, he was being so weird. It was so strange. He loved her, shit everyone knew it, latte did not.
He was ignoring everyone to look at them. They finally stopped dancing, they went back to their table. Their arms were linked, as they calmly walked back. No he couldn’t, he was going to ask her to dance. He didn’t care.
If she said no, he’d just leave like he wanted to. If she said yes he’d dance with her and apologize, even if it was years ago. He felt bad and mad about everything. Maybe he would do the same with his daughter, maybe.
With the little bit of confidence he had, he slowly walked towards Latte. His legs went slow and steady, probably too slow for anyone. She giggled and smiled before he spoke, he didn’t want to disturb that. But he needed to.
Clearing his throat to get her attention, it worked perfectly. She stopped and looked at him, her smile dropped as she looked at him, ow did that hurt. She didn’t need to do that. “Yes, detective?”
say it.
Go on.
Don’t be a coward.
“May I have this dance, professor?” He said holding out his hand to her waiting for her to decline or accept, those 6 seconds were hell. He stared at her eyes she stared back at his, she gave a sigh grabbing his hand.
“Alright, detective.” She gave a weak smile. He knew this dance wouldn’t be as enjoyable to her as Roquefort’s was but he’d try and compare.
Holding her soft hand as they walked to the dance floor, he noticed the murmurs of the other guests. It felt as if they knew he’d be asking her, or as if they wouldn’t have thought he’d ask her at all. They knew he was a coward even if he was tough and cold.
She smiled at him as they stood there. “I…” she was going to say something, what was it? He was so desperate for it to be something sweet. Please say something… “never mind, blow my mind, Detective.” She winked.
Her left hand on his shoulder, his right on her back, the other hands interlinked. As the first note played out their feet moved hers back, his forth. She was the lead.
That made him feel incapable. “So, why’d you ask me to dance…?” She asked looking down at their feet, her head slanted slightly down.
“I…” he looked away from her slightly embarrassed, he couldn’t look at her anymore. Even if this was to recoil anything they had left. “…I wanted to apologize.” She looked at him quickly and not removing her eyes.
“What?” She asked, she sounded angry and slightly hurt. When a deeper note played she basically stomped down, god why’d he do this. “I…I wanted to apologize for blaming our divorce on you. I should’ve just taken accountability—“ she scoffed cutting him off, rolling her eyes she cleared her throat.
“Almond, do you know what that did? Do you have any idea how much your hurt me by blaming me that day?” She kept calm but stern and slightly aggravated, she didn’t lose her cool. She glared and was genuinely hurt.
“Well, no—“ he stuttered, he stuttered it out, he stuttered! Latte rolled her eyes annoyed. “Almond it’s been years! You blamed me a day after the divorce finalized.” He gave a sigh, finally looking at her, he tightened the grip on her hand.
“I know, I know. I just— just wanted to say sorry for what I did, I know it was horrible and hurtful. And probably can’t be forgiven so easily…” he said, the music got louder.
“Why?” For his selfish reasons. As of recently before this wedding and at it, he’d been regretting everything.
“I felt it was the right time.” You lying coward.
“Tell me the truth Almond…” she mumbled quietly, looking down at the ground.
“Huh?” She was married to you and dated you for 10 years! She can tell when you lie.
“You know what I’m talking about, Detective!” She hissed at him, she was angry just tell her, coward. Music got louder, their dance sped up.
He sighed looking at her, actually in the eyes, her eyes showed genuine hurt. She wanted him to tell her why he asked her to dance! She wanted to know why he wanted to apologize!
“I…I’ve been thinking of our marriage since the wedding started, maybe even before. Either way, I just felt regret since I’ve seen you this afternoon. I hate the way I felt…and well the way I left things then.” He looked at her again, she showed frustration, anger and sadness all at once. She probably felt horrible.
Her hand gripped into his shirt, and her teeth gritted. She was thinking of something to say to him, something angry, something to make herself feel better, something to tell him off!
She took a deep breath, than exhaled. “You’re selfish!” Was all she said, her grip tightened on the shirt she couldn’t think of anything or say to him that would make him hurt as much as he hurt her.
“I’m sorry, I just— I miss you, I feel bad for what I did. I hate the way I feel and the way I think of you.” Stop talking, she’s getting more angry. She’s glaring at him now, she couldn’t say anything! She didn’t know what to say!
The two spun, her tears fell, the light that stood over above the dance floor made them shine. Her tears left behind a wet trail on her cheeks. “I-I hate you! You’re an idiot!” She sobbed, still dancing with him, he knew damn well she hated this dance. The worst of them all.
“I forgot about everything you did! You brought it back! You asked me to dance, I thought we were gonna have a nice conversation!” Oh.
“You came to apologize! Because you couldn’t let me go! You felt bad for your mistakes!” She said in a slightly raised voice, it cracked and shattered him. “I don’t like this!”
Forward, back, around and dip.
His eyebrows furrowed in sadness, he was more tense their dance was stiff and uncomfortable. They continued, she kept a tight grip on that shirt sleeve, as his hand gripped tightly on her hand.
He looked at her right hand, the one that he held, there it was. Their engagement ring, she kept it, hidden away for no one to see. It was simple and pretty, they were engaged for a short time no wonder he forgot about it.
He gave a soft smile. Rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. “I’m sorry, Latte.” He mumbled. she glared.
She wasn’t forgiving him again. “I hate you.” She said more sternly, her head looked away her eyes closed. “I shouldn’t have even married you.”
That hurt, that shattered everything he had, he didn’t think she’d ever say that. Whatever they had left? It was gone now, every single little bit of it is gone burned to ashes! He brought this to himself. If he was the smart man he was, he’d forget it. But here he was, dancing with the woman who had apparently tried to forget what he had done that day.
He opened her wounds forcefully with the one dagger he had, and that was an apology that was long overdue! That she didn’t want! She was crying in his hold that he forced on her by asking her a minute ago.
He wanted to say something to her, he needed to say something. He made the woman, he pushed away, cry! The one he gave up on! the one he wasn’t ready for!
“I’m sorry..” he said again, he knew that’s what she didn’t want to hear, he just needed her to hear it again. He was dumb and an idiot! He didn’t care anymore. “I shouldn’t have asked you tonight.” He held back what else he wanted to say, the dance slowed down, like it was ending. It probably was.
“…” she kept silent. Her mouth was a tightened frown, her eyebrows was furrowed. she was so angry at him, she wasn’t looking at him she was looking away. Her grip was still hard on that shirt.
“You know I missed you, right?” Oh shut up! You’re an idiot! She doesn’t want to know that, Latte hates your guts!
“Can you…” she inhaled. the final notes, the final steps were approaching them.
“Can you get over it?” She asked as they did a final spin.
His mouth hung open as they stood, she walked to the exit of the building and pulled off the ring, as the door hung open she threw the ring into the grass.
He stood in shock, he brought this unto himself, he asked her! He came to this wedding! why was he so shocked? He stood there looking at the door until he heard the clicking of Roquefort cookie’s shoes. He had latte’s staff and jacket with him. He was running after her.
Before he left he looked at almond. “Do what she asked and get over it!” Then the door slammed shut.