Herb's Secret Garden | Cookie Run AU | NOT DONE

PART 1 - THE BEGINNING

Hey everyone! Velvet (the writer) here, just a few things before you start reading! First of all, I do not ship espresseline. Please no hate comments, you have been warned. Secondly, the two main characters in this AU are NOT in a relationship. They are just friends. Next, this AU is the HUMAN version of cookie run characters. Beforehand I would like to mention that I ship eclair and espresso, just so you're prepared and aware. (Don't worry I'm not going to go crazy about it, there will probably only be slight mentions) Also I headcanon that Espresso uses he/they pronouns so I'll be using those. ALSO, I included things about multiple characters being part-dragon. This is a part of my AU.
(Also this is my first time adding my writing to wattpad so if I slipped anything up, please remember I am a beginner)

WARNING: this AU includes vivid descriptions and/or depictions of gore. If you are uncomfortable with gore or things related to death, please do NOT read this.

     Herb woke up with somebody nudging his shoulder. It was Cookiesnap, Herb's pet. "Oh, good morning Cookiesnap!" Cookiesnap happily smiled at Herb as he yawned and picked up his watering can to fill it with water in the sink. Herb always watered his plants first thing in the morning. Today was a rainy day. A good day for nature to water Herb's outdoor garden for him. As he was filling up the can in the sink so he could water his indoor plants, Herb heard the ringtone on his phone go off. Herb quickly ran over to pick up the phone and answer. His old school friend and client, Espresso, was calling him. Espresso got his coffee beans locally from Herb, since Herb does research to care for coffee beans exactly to Espresso's standards, that's where Espresso preferred to get his coffee beans from to keep them perfectly accurate and new. Herb picked up the phone. "Well hello Espresso! How are you doing today?" Herb said with a smile.
"Yes, hello Herb. Do you have more coffee beans prepared?" Espresso asked, sounding slightly monotone. "Yeah, I have some coffee beans all ready to go! The coffee plants have been looking very lively these past few weeks!" Herb replied. "I'll be there to pick it up at 7:50." Espresso said. "Alright, see you th-" Espresso hung up before Herb was able to finish his sentence. Cookiesnap then mentioned something to him. Herb was able to talk to plants, and Cookiesnap was his closest friend. "I have a suggestion." Cookiesnap said to Herb. "What is it?" Herb asked. "Have Espresso join you with our project. They could be useful." Cookiesnap said. "I'm not sure, what if it takes the wrong turn? You know how Espresso can be sometimes.." Herb mentioned. "Well, Espresso wants the coffee beans that you grow. Without those, they'd have to look for someone with as much skill as you. And that would be a difficult challenge." Cookiesnap said.
"You have a point. I'll talk with him when he gets here." Just then the doorbell to Herb's house rang. Herb opened the door to Espresso, holding an umbrella as the rain poured on it. He was in his casual sweater and pants, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days, which was probably true. "Come in, Espresso! Welcome back!" Herb greeted Espresso. "Please make it quick, I have a tight schedule today." Espresso said. "Right.. Espresso, can we talk about something?" Herb asked. "How serious is the situation? Is the world ending or is the neighbor's cat stuck in a tree again?" Espresso asked. "Well, one might say it's important.. I suppose. We can talk about it later I guess.. Although you could get some coffee beans for free if you decide to stick around." Herb said. As Espresso was looking for his wallet to pay for the coffee, he looked up when he heard the words "free" and "coffee" in the same sentence. Herb laughed a bit. "I see you're interested." Herb mentioned. "Yes, please specify the details." Espresso demanded. "Well you see, we're both part dragon, could we trust each other to keep quiet about this?" Herb asked Espresso. "I suppose. What's this situation about?" "Let me show you."
Herb led Espresso to a hidden room behind a shelf with vines covering the door. "Be careful, you might want to close your eyes. It's up to you." Herb said. "I'm not very concerned. Just show me." Espresso said. Herb opened the door to reveal an unnerving sight. The room was filled with vines, there were a few plant lamps scattered around, and on the wall was Mint Choco and Sparkling, decaying in the plants entangled in vines. Bits and pieces of them were missing, Sparkling's arm and right half of his face were gone, leaving his skull visible. Espresso's eyes widened in shock, not horror. A few Carnivorous plants were in there, and their appearances were different from ones like Cookiesnap. "Herb, what is this and what are your objectives here? And what did you do to Sparkling? I thought you guys were in a relationship." "Espresso, don't panic. Sparkling was in a relationship with me, until I had to use him to help my plant friends! See? Do you see how happy they are? A Carnivorous plant turned and smiled at Espresso. "Herb, what is your intention here?" "Well, the effects of these specimens consuming human flesh benefits them greatly. You see, first of all, it gives them unique characteristics based on what they eat. The personality of the person they consume affects their appearance. Not only that, but they become much stronger and more energetic due to the nutrition of human flesh. This could help me retrieve more people." Herb explained.
"Wow, this is.. a lot, Herb, you mentioned free coffee?" Espresso asked. "Yes, that was part of the deal." Herb agreed. "I'm in. Let's do this. Although, I have two requests. One of which being that we must avoid using Eclair as food for the plants at all costs. Secondly, I have a target that I want to select first." Espresso said. "Who is it?" Herb asked. "A well-known padalin from the Creme Republic. I'm sure you've probably heard the name Madeleine more than once." "Oh yes! That guy. Before we go, I think I should introduce you to more things that I do here. After all, you're changing almost everything you've planned on doing in your life, correct?" Herb asked. "Almost. I still have some things in mind." Espresso said. "Alright, aside from that, I think I should tell you that I'm the nephew of Dark Enchantress." Herb mentioned. "Hmm, interesting. I used to be a part of the dark team, so I should get along with her nicely." Espresso said. "Alright, let's get going! Cookiesnap, keep an eye on everything, alright?" Cookiesnap nodded. Espresso and Herb left the small house and closed the door, the rain still lightly pouring down. Herb lended Espresso a black poncho that matched his. "This is so that we're hard to recognize. Keep the hood up." Herb said. Espresso put their hands in their pocket, but felt something sharp poke him. "Ow! What's in here?" Espresso pulled out a small, spiky succulent. "Ah, sorry! Sometimes I run out of places to keep my plants. That one's name is Porcupine, because it always pokes me, haha. Isn't it a cutie?" Herb said. "I guess. It's going to take me a while to get used to so many plants. Hello.. Porcupine." Espresso said. "Porcupine says hello! It says sorry for poking you." "Ah, you can.. talk to them.?" Espresso said. "Mhm. Being part dragon has its privileges." Herb said. "Interesting.."

About half an hour of walking later, they arrived at Madeleine's house. Since Madeleine tends to gravitate towards Espresso more than anyone, they agreed on using Espresso as bait. Herb hid in one of the bushes near walls of the house, waiting to strike with deadly plants. Espresso knocked on the door, looking as bored and upset as he normally does around Madeleine. Madeleine opened the door and greeted Espresso. "Well, hey there Espresso! Come on in! Nice to see you!!" Madeleine said. "I'll only be doing this once, but would you care to go on a walk with me? I would.. (espresso tried not to vomit before they said the next few words] ..really appreciate it." Espresso forced a crummy fake smile to make it convincing. Madeleine could fall for just about anything. "I thought you would never ask!! Let me get my umbrella!" Madeleine quickly ran to his closet and grabbed an umbrella, then ran back and left with Espresso. Herb waited for them to make it far enough across the sidewalk to be unnoticed. He followed behind, keeping a low profile and keeping his footsteps light and quiet. Meanwhile, Espresso was thinking of what to do next. Deep down, Espresso could tell that Madeleine wanted to be in a relationship with them. Although, Espresso hated everything about Madeleine. Just looking at that annoying smile made them want to punch him. Although, to make sure this deed is done and done, Espresso had to make the kill work perfectly. "Madeleine, I need to tell you something." Espresso said. "What is it?" Madeleine asked. "I've been keeping this a secret for a while. Espresso stopped walking and held Madeleine's hands in theirs. Espresso hated every second of it too, but had to keep a poker face. "Madeleine, I'm.. (Espresso had trouble spitting out words again... How troublesome.) I'm madly in love with you, Madeleine." Espresso said whilst internally screaming for help. "Espresso.. I..." Then Herb striked. Madeleine took one dose of the poison that Herb force-fed him, and immediately dropped dead on the ground. "..How do we bring the body back?" Espresso asked. "We pretend that we're carrying him home because we ran into a wolf and he fainted out of fear." Herb said, picking up the corpse. Espresso looked at the umbrella Madeleine dropped. He took it home as a souvenir of him finally removing the biggest problem he dealt with. Soon enough, they arrived back at Herb's home.