Archive of Our Own ^beta

Shadow Milk remembers that day she confessed through a handwritten letter like it were yesterday. It was one of the moments where his immortality did not feel like a curse, but rather a miracle. If he hadn’t met his starlet, who and where would he be now?

He’ll never forget the days his shining star sang in front of countless cookies, but she only ever gazed into his eyes. Despite the forms he used to conceal the real identity that she recognized, she seemed to spot him in a crowd as if he were the only one standing there. Shining Glitter’s charismatic energy was infectious—he forgot that he was a beast in the first place, all because of her. 

Three years into their relationship, she proposed to him. How stupid was he—the Beast of Deceit and Lies—to be in love with a mortal, and accept a marriage proposal? Quite laughable, really. Though not an ounce of regret coursed through him. He wouldn’t have a family, his daughter Sprinkle Glitter, and everything if it weren’t for his beloved wife.

Shining Glitter lay still beside him, her soft hand entwined with his. Her turquoise eyes slowly blink up at the off-white ceiling of their shared bedroom. Shadow Milk looks down at her wrinkled form, his eyes softening. Her once neon strands lay gracefully on the white pillowcase, and he rakes through them. Shadow hated to admit it to anyone, even himself, but it hurt him that she had to age in the first place. The thought of her slipping away from him in one glance, in one breath…he’d rather exchange his life. 

Shining Glitter squeezed his hand, weakly glancing at him with a sheepish smile. Shadow Milk hesitated to return the smile, but he still did while the eyes on his hair smiled with him. In an attempt to break the silence between them, Shadow Milk laughs. He knew she couldn’t laugh as hard as he did in this state, 50 years into their marriage, but he hoped that it would make her happy. After all, he couldn’t age. 

What seemed like a few minutes were already hours, and he suddenly felt his sleepiness take over. With a plop on the bed, Shadow Milk lay beside Shining Glitter. 

“Good night, my starlet. I love you,” he softly whispers against the corner of her lips. 

“I love you too. Good night, Shadow,” she replies with a kiss. 

She curls her body against his for the first time in a long time. She had always been the bigger spoon, her face on his nape as they slept together. He feels her breathe on the fabric of his nightgown as he wraps his arms around her form. The night passed on, as a symphony of steady breathing filled the room. 

The next morning, Shadow Milk finds his arms empty. ‘She let go, huh,’ he thinks. The duvet was draped on her body, and he moved close to bury his face on her grey hairs. It wasn’t until she felt unusually cold. He placed a hand against her forehead, and his stomach dropped. ‘Nonononono…’ Shadow Milk panicked, laying his head on her chest. 

“Hah…really? Now? Even I did not expect that, Glitter. Well played.” He says, before tightly holding her in his arms. Tears dripped down his powder blue cheeks before he could realize it. “No, no. You can’t leave me like this—Witches! I can’t…I can’t lose you! You were just fine last night, Glitter!” 

Tears flowed down more, even if he couldn’t handle the truth. His beloved Shining Glitter is dead. He knew the it—the truth—was cruel, ruthless…but why did her death hurt? And this was worse than all the punishments he had endured throughout his life. As her lifeless body lay comfortably on the sheets for the last time, her eyes closed in her eternal slumber. ‘She looked the same as last night,’ he thought to himself. 

Shadow Milk caressed the soft skin of her cheek, giving it one last, tender kiss. “Sleep tight. May your soul rest peacefully, my starlet, my everything.”