Chapter Text
Glisten followed the light into the main area. It was a colorful area that was relatively clean and well put together. However its decoration was vintage. Glisten heard water running and things shuffling around in the kitchen next door. He hesitated before walking in.
The scene was organized and clean. Cosmo was putting dishes away and Sprout was writing something down while he prepared, taking out ingredients he would need for breakfast. His eyes darted towards Glisten and his face lit up with a smile. “Hey Glisten! You’re awake early. Food isn't ready but it should be soon.” Sprout went back to putting stuff away.
“I know. Would it be alright if I stayed here? Just to watch!”
“Uh.. sure, but you’ll have to help a little bit. Fetch me the milk from the fridge would you?” Sprout asked. Pointing a finger to the fridge. Glisten nodded and he went to the fridge. It was small but held everything well. Inside he grabbed a carton of almond milk. They had no cows or ways to get cows milk so it was either almond or oat milk. He handed it to Sprout and Sprout took it. His hand touching Glistens. Glisten didn't like it. The feeling of Sprouts hand, cold. Like Rodgers, when he held it in hopes of feeling a pulse in return, a cold limp limb. He retracted his hand and nearly dropped the milk. Sprout’s quick reflexes let him catch it.
Glisten stood, he leaned against the wall slightly. “Sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that.” Glisten messed up he didn't mean to he really didn't.
“Its fine. You’re all good.” He looked over at Cosmo and asked for a pan. He set it on the stove and turned it on. Cosmo then came over to Glisten.
He looked and leaned next to him. “Hey Glisten, you're awake early. How are you?”
“Oh, fine! Fine!” He sighed. “Do you guys really do all this every morning?”
“Yeah. Its practically routine at this point. Get up, check what's on the schedule and get to work.”
“Wow.”
It was then silent. Talking with Cosmo felt less on edge. He didn't have to worry about much and he didn't have to think that much. Cosmo was easy to talk to.
“So… Rodger.” Fuck. The one topic he was trying to tiptoe around. Cosmo continued. “You doing alright after that? I know you and him were kind of.. y’know.”
Glisten had to provide a response and fast. “I’m alright. I just need a small break from runs I think.” He smiled and forced a small laugh. That was enough bait for Cosmo to believe.
“Okay. Just know were here for you. Maybe not everyone but I am.”
Glisten nodded. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Sprout snapped his fingers and pointed at Cosmo as he mixed the items around in the pan. “Cosmo come over here, I need you to mix this.”
“On it! How about you go wait in the dining hall Glisten? Food should be ready soon and I think I see some toons in there.” Glisten nodded and headed out.
He looked around the high school cafeteria-like tables laid out on rows for all the toons to fit. It used to be for the kids that came to eat usually lunch when they visited. But it fit them just fine. Glisten looked around, and saw the fluffy craft sitting down. Instantly noticing him, his paw raised as he smiled. “Glisten! Come over!” The craft and the mirror had chatted before however not often, usually when it was during a run. He walked over and sat next to him. While the rest of the cafeteria was mainly empty.
“Hello Goob, how are you?” Glisten struck up a conversation. If anyone was easy to talk to, it was him.
“I am good! Me and Scraps made some paper flowers last night but I accidentally tore one. Were gonna try to tape it up though!” Goob spoke. His lazy eye staring off to who knows what. “What did you do yesterday Glisten?”
Glisten thought. Did he really want to tell him? It seemed unimportant, and he didn't want to drag goob down with him. He realized, he needed to say something.”I went on a run. A basic ichor run.” Simple, short, and plain.
“Ooh! Wait, were you on the run that Rodger died?”
“Uhm.. yes, yes I was.” He didn't want to lie to him. Good was a good toon and lying to him was like kicking a puppy.
Goob continued talking. “Ohh.. are you okay?”
Glisten thought to himself, was he okay? He couldn’t detect what his exact feeling was. “I- uh.. Well I feel- no- I uh.. uhm… umm..” Glisten squeaked, he felt the body of the other toon get close, and his long arms wrapping around.
“You don’t have to explain if you don't want to.” Goob was soft. Soft like a blanket. He wanted to cry. This warm comfort around him made him feel something that he thought only- only Goob could give. Goob retracted and smiled. “You got this! And if you need a hug i’d happily give you one any time!”
Glisten sniffled, clearing up pooling tears in his eyes. “Thank you Goob.”
Some time passed and Goob was having a whole yap session. Midway through, Connie came in and spooked them by phasing through the table. Soon the area filled, and Glisten was feeling much better than before. Tisha came out with a food cart and began handing out their breakfast to everyone. She was part of the team too, usually helping with things such as cleanup. Glisten looked down and saw his food. He looked up and then saw… Toodles. Everything seemed to numb in the moment. He remembered Rodger, that body on him. The ichor dripping from his lower half which replaced his legs. He thought, if he was feeling this bad, how was Toodles feeling? From first appearance, she looked happy. As if she didn’t know. Did they maybe not tell her her father she aspired to be like was now simply a twisted down the elevator.
Glisten looked back down to his food, now feeling squeamish. He looked around. Trying to maybe find a way to leave. He didn't want to be there anymore. He then saw, the little rock Pebble, begging Brightney for some food and her of course, denying him. Pebble stopped and looked around before locking eyes with Glisten. Usually making eye contact with Pebble during breakfast meant never ending pestering from the dog. It scurried its way over to Glisten and under the table as its front paws reached up onto Glisten to look at him. His tail helping keep balance. Glisten looked around, He saw Goob turned around talking to Scraps. Nobody was really looking at him.
“Shh.. Be quiet Pebble.” Glisten then slid his food on his plate down to Pebble, whos eyes gleamed as he consumed it like a starving beast. Pebble was going to bark for more but Glisten put his hand up to the dogs mouth. “No more. Shh… ill give you more later.” Glisten kicked his leg slightly to move away Pebble, and he left. Probably to get more from someone else like Gigi.
Now that his plate was convincingly empty. He stood up. Ready to leave. He however caught the attention of Goob.
Goobs head whipped around to look at the leaving Mirror. “Where you going?”
“I’m going back to my room. I finished my food and uh.. I need to get ready for the day!” He half made up.
“Okay.” Goob gave him the best thumbs up he could and waved. “Cya later Glisten!”
Glisten nodded in response and returned to his room.