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He cleared the dishes in front of her with a smile, like usual.
She was no longer hungry and she told him as much. Half of her plate was left untouched. His smile didn’t break even as he tossed out the remaining food.
Ciel always prepared the most immaculate meals for her and cleaned up after her without a complaint. Without her asking. Goulash, pot-au-feu, a hearty stew, gratin—all of that and more. All of that, and yet they were indistinguishable to her still. All she could feel were the different textures of the various dishes he cooked. Even then, eating was just something she had to do and nothing more.
Sometimes, she would see visions of a demon similar to herself, tasting countless foods with a wide grin and a sparkle in her eyes.
Sometimes, it felt like looking at a warped reflection.
“Lu, would you like dessert?” Ciel asked next.
“Yes,” she answered promptly, because this was the everyday routine they had steadily settled into. Mundane and comforting in its simplicity. And it was what Ciel wanted, she knew. If it was what Ciel wanted then it was also what she wanted.
She was full but she could still eat whatever sweets he had prepared for her. Sometimes, he would ask her if she remembered enjoying the same treats in the past with him.
Even when he knew her answer, he would still ask.
It wasn’t long until he placed a plate of freshly baked cookies in front of her. Simple sugar cookies, nothing extravagant.
She blinked.
She remembered these.
She remembered the first time Ciel had made them for her; how he had murmured that he had always wanted to make something like this for someone else once upon a time, long ago, but never got the chance to. How these cookies felt warm to her, the warmest.
She liked them the most.
Even though she couldn’t taste anything still, they filled her with warmth.
She remembered how tears had fallen from his eyes when she said those words.
Gingerly, she picked up a single cookie with her fingertips. She spoke quietly, “Thank you, Ciel.”
“Of course, Lu.” He smiled at her, like usual.
She took a small bite out of the cookie.
It was warm.
They were her favourite.
Yet despite everything, there was still something lacking.