Chapter Text
—-
The haze of morning woke Cosmo up before he could properly arise. Neither was it a haze, for it spooked him into a quick fit of fear. The smallest ‘zip’ sound came from outside, followed by a hard vibration that shook the ground. Cosmo watched as it shook one of Sprout’s desk mugs, toppling it over.
Cosmo, worrying a bit, rolled out from underneath Sprout’s warm arms—the berry made a quiet protestant noise–and went to stand it back upright. It was one loud hit - one small thrum beneath the ground that still sent chills all over the roulade. He’s heard it before, so much so that he’s already asked the handlers about it. It’s called ‘thunder,’ a weather phenomenon that usually accompanies rain.
Dandy had told him that the weather would be sunny for the days of Ginger and the Christmas toons’ Christmas Party, so he hadn’t expected rain. He’d required good weather for the event, too, but seeing as how there was no rain with the thunder, it seemed sporadic.
Sighing, Cosmo played with the mug handle, eyes on Sprout’s window. It was a blurred window, one where Cosmo could only see the remnants of the sun's light instead of the real thing. Still, the sky was dark, stars scattered all over it like sprinkles. No sign of morning in the waking.
Sprout had a small clock by the easel in the corner of his room, the easel that Brusha bought him and was never used. Cosmo looked over at it, reading the bright numbers ‘4:30 AM’ to himself. He sat himself on the edge of the bed, closing his eyes and breathing slowly.
He felt Sprout before he saw him, his warm hand resting on his arm and his forehead nuzzling into the small of his back.
Cosmo let out the softest sigh of approval, his eyes fluttering closed with a type of calm that made Sprout hum in contentment.
Looking over his shoulder, he met Sprout’s soft, sleepy eyes. He tiredly smiled, sitting up and kissing Cosmo’s nose gently. Cosmo scrunched his nose, resting his head back against Sprout’s chest. Sprout then sat better behind him, their legs hanging off the bed, and his arms comfily engulfing him. Cosmo blushed; even tender things like this still rose butterflies in his stomach.
“So..” Sprout and Cosmo laced their fingers together, both of their eyes shyly watching. “What’s got you up?”
Sure, they cleared up how they felt about the situation between them a little more, but there was still a nervous, hesitant tension between them that sparked other actions. Cosmo gestured to the window and spoke up, “Thunder.”
Sprout’s eyebrow twitched, and Cosmo could tell Sprout was trying to pretend he knew what Cosmo was talking about. Laughing at the absurdity on Sprout’s face, Cosmo explained, “Thunder is the loud rumbling noise that happens when rain comes down, I think?” His laughter eases off as he looks at the window, a small smile daunting his features. “It’s said to hold a significant amount of electricity.”
Sprout watched the stars in Cosmo’s eyes, distracted. “Yeah?” Cosmo glanced at him at that and nodded his chin lazily, too comfy to move his head. Sprout found it very cute; it was easy to tell by Sprout’s soft puff of air, and the rose over his cheeks.
Cosmo admired Sprout more than he’d like to admit to himself.
He liked the way he felt lying back against the toon, the soft movement of his chest under his back, the way Sprout’s forearm was over his stomach like a little protective shield. All of it. This was his best friend; someone he’s known all his life, and sometimes it really hits him that this person he’s loved more than anyone else has buried himself impossibly deep into Cosmo’s life. A type of depth that no star in the galaxy could conjure - that no one in Gardenview can ever think of.
That’s why he holds onto Sprout’s forearm a little tighter. It’s also why his throat tightens involuntarily. Just the thought, or implication of losing Sprout, hurts a part of Cosmo that he doesn't want to meet, a part that scares him more than anything else.
Cosmo blinks out of his thoughts, feeling disturbed by his brain’s own implications. Turning his head, he looks up at Sprout, the toon’s eyes dead set on the window as another rumble of thunder growled beneath them, making them both tighten their holds protectively.
Cosmo whined a little, and Sprout hummed in response, kissing his temple. “Hm?”
The roulade chuckled, embarrassed. “I.. I think I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
A lot of things, Cosmo’s brain murmured. Instead, he said, “The thunder.”
Sprout’s face softened, and he nodded a little. “Aw, cos, that's okay. I get it.” He adjusted, fixing his pajama shirt before it fell off his shoulder. He made a motion for Cosmo to turn towards him, and so he did. They sat in front of each other with the window illuminating their sides, their faces lit entrancingly.
Celestial embers burned in Sprout’s eyes, and Cosmo swallowed, love swarming in his throat. They’d said I love you, but Cosmo blinked back his words, knowing Sprout probably wasn't ready for his type of love. The type of love where just the thought of the other takes over your mind like a parasite.
If Cosmo were Vee, his system would be flooded with a trillion pop-ups of Sprout’s unneededly beautiful face every day, and that made him laugh to himself. He couldn’t get any more pathetic.
“Cosmo?”
“Oh- yes?”
Sprout’s face was unreadable, but then he shook his head and gestured his hand out to him. Cosmo stared at it, cheeks turning rosy. Sprout also blushed, then deadpanned, sighing. “Listen, just take my hand.”
Cosmo smirked, eyebrow raised. “You’re so awkward with it, dummy.” Taking the hand, their palms resting on the others, Sprout cleared his throat childishly. Cosmo could only bite back on his giggle, eyes bright as a particular star soared across the midnight violet sky.
They caught each other's stares and Sprout uttered, “I here by pledge,” he bowed his head, already bracing for impact with a shit-eating grin, “toalwaysprotectCosmofromeverythunderstormfromnowon-!”
He wasn't surprised when Cosmo yanked his hand out from Sprout’s with a gasp, but he WAS when he got a pillow thrown at the side of his head. Loudly guffawing, Cosmo burst into a fit of shrieks, squirming away quickly. Sprout lunged forward and caught Cosmo’s ankle before he could properly flee.
They soon turned into a giggling mess, Cosmo shouting in a whisper to Sprout, and throwing unnecessary amounts of pillows at him. Cosmo was surprisingly agile when it came to messing Sprout’s leaves up or hitting the tall berry with small decorative pillows that looked like chocolate bars compared to either of them. Either way, Sprout does not regret making fun of him, not one bit.
The bed squeaked loudly as Sprout jumped at him, pinning Cosmo down to the bed, earning him a loud, “SPROUT!” Soft hands pawing at his shoulders to get him off as his fingers teasingly started to tickle the laughter-filled boy below him.
They panted and took on a sweat, but both of them were laughing, and it was merciless and rough and gentle all at once. It made both of their hearts beat fast, and their bodies beg for closeness. Soon, they ended up in a heap on the floor with Sprout having a sock on his hand, and Cosmo’s pajama shirt ending up inside out.
Panting, they just stared at one another, eyes lidded and sweat dripping a little down the sides of their faces.
Sprout gave Cosmo a wolfish smile and Cosmo wryly smiled back, reaching forward to tug at a leaf affectionately. Boldly, Cosmo’s eyes opened more as Sprout began to kiss his fingers, only twice, but still enough to make the cake nervously laugh at him, blushing hard. “Sprout, ugh, stop.” He covered his face with his other hand, squealing.
Sprout only made a very low grumble noise and began to push his cheek into Cosmo’s palm needily. Cosmo honestly just had a big, cute, affectionate dog next to him; there’s no way Sprout was a strawberry.
Cosmo yelped and jumped hard when another thrum of thunder happened, instinctively moving closer to the berry in a small panic. Sprout easily welcomed him in his arms, frowning in sympathy. Sprout gently pressed kisses to Cosmo’s head, eyes staring over him as they rested, Cosmo hidden from the rest of the world.
Cosmo, slightly shaking, breathed out a little with a laugh. “Sorry,” he poured out, but never made any move to pull away. “That one was a little.. Strong!”
Sprout only shook his head, looking down at the roulade with something so fond. “No, no, it's okay. Seriously, Cos.” Cosmo felt Sprout’s heart against his cheek and melted when Sprout leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead, his chest rapidly pounding. “It’s gonna be okay.” Sprout protectively placed his palm over Cosmo’s lower back, fingers steady.
Seeing as how Cosmo had known his friend for years now, there should be no reason why his touch suddenly makes a fire burn in him that he can't interpret. Every time he thinks of it, his mind brings him to a stuttering dead end. There’s a coil in his heart that springs the feeling back to life multiple times per day, and it fucking eats at him when he doesnt tell someone about it. But not just anyone - Sprout himself.
Whining, Cosmo pressed anxiety-induced kisses to Sprout’s chest, his heart in pace with Sprout’s. The older toon hummed, caressing the back of his head. “I'm here,” he mumbled, and god. Cosmo needed him. He needed him even more when he allowed Cosmo to wrap his leg over his hip and stroked it to calm him. He needed him the most when he nuzzled down into Cosmo’s little comfort crevice just to playfully kiss at the column of his throat with velvety lips.
Cosmo internally sighed, knees shaking.
Cosmo was ferociously in love and he wishes, hopes, that Sprout is too.
Then, Sprout’s lips come to a pause over his throat, followed by his sleep-roughened voice cursing, “Fuck.”
The strawberry quickly drew back, and Cosmo’s face morphed quickly into concern. He held his neck, eyebrows knit. “Sprout, what?”
The strawberry didn't know how to properly say it - his mouth was in a firm line, and his eyes were staring with intense disappointment. Cosmo didnt like the judged feeling that made his fingers curl. “Sprout… Stop that, what’s wrong?”
Sprout blinked, then shook his head out of his stupor, albeit slowly. “I gave you a hickey,” he gestured numbly to the roulade’s neck “Right there.”
Cosmo’s head tilted, more so because he didn't know what a hickey was. Sprout noticed and elaborated, “Hickey’s are like love bites, except they bruise.”
“You what..!?”
“I know, fuck.” Sprout put his face in his hands, blushing hard while apologizing with pure intent. “Jesus, Cosmo im so so so SO sorry,”
“Hey, hey,” Cosmo touched his forearm, face serious. “There is nothing wrong with that, okay? I know we have to be more aware next time, but im not gonna talk you down.” Cosmo gave a soft laugh. “Plus, I liked it. So.” Cosmo felt hot all over, fingers grazing the bruise. He didn't notice Sprout’s bite from last night. They’d done it twice anyway, but still. It was weird how he hadnt recalled it at all.
Though something about the amount of guilt on Sprout’s face told Cosmo he’d probably done it to him in his sleep. With this knowledge, Cosmo chuckled at Sprout with bright eyes, head shaking adoringly. “You fuckin’ vampire.”
—-
“I just don’t understand!” Dandy’s eyes filled with disarray. “What do you mean there’s rain?”
Devan shrugged. He was focused on Pebble in the bath in front of him, the small rock yipping and barking as bubbles swarmed him. Despite this, he got a rag, towelling his soapy hands off as he looked at the flower and his friend Cosmo with an empathetic look. “Sorry, guys. It was on the forecast some bit ago,” As if to prove he was right, small thuds started to hit the roof of Gardenview, making it known that there was rain.
Cosmo glanced at Pebble, giving the dog a kind smile, despite the little drop his stomach did at the handler’s news. “And… Can't we postpone it until tomorrow? E-Everything’s already done, I don't think the cakes will go bad if we just..”
“No, Cosmo.” Devan shook his head. “No. Unfortunately, it has to be tonight. Tonight is the night before they leave, and if we do it tomorrow, then they’ll have to leave right after - understand?”
Cosmo nodded. Devan did too.
“Good. Now, if anything, I’ll go start helping the rest of the toons with decor. Cosmo, you and Sprout have done a lot for this party already - we have five dozen cupcakes available! If anything, I think you should go spend time with Ginger.” He then dipped his hands back in the water to lift Pebble out. “She’s been looking lonely.”
Dandy, beside Cosmo, was clearly lost in thought; a frown settled over his lips. Cosmo rested his hand on Dandy’s arm. “You okay?”
The flower jumped and quickly nodded, eyes looking around anxiously. “Yeah, yeah. I just want this to go right,” his eyes snapped back up to meet Devans and a smile bloomed again, although tinted with distress. “Mkay, thanks for the help, Devan.”
Devan nodded, sadly smiling. “I know it's not the greatest news, but we’ll make sure this party goes smoothly no matter what.” He gently held Cosmo and Dandy’s arms, squeezing softly. “You two have done amazing so far. Now, run along. Get this show on the road.”
The two toons then made their way back to the main lobby, Cosmo cuddling deeper into Sprout’s scarf. “Well, that wasn't the news I was hoping for.” He said honestly, eyes a little downcast. Dandy nodded right after, fidgeting. It seemed he cared more than Cosmo let on.
Cosmo bumped his shoulder with his. “Hey, what’s up? You seemed very on edge back there.”
Dandy stopped in the middle of the hall, and so did Cosmo, scarf poised over his mouth. Dandy sighed, speaking in a hesitant tone, “The last time they were here, the…” Dandy’s eyes went far – almost vacant from reality. “They were here for that. The ichor.”
Cosmo squeezed his eyes shut; he had a feeling it was this. Almost feeling his pain, Cosmo nodded too. “I know.” And he did. He knew the anguish the flower went through, he knew the immense fight for normalcy he put on after the outbreak, and he knew the flower’s struggle to be heard because he was there to witness every misconception.
Now that everything is fixed, Dandy gained control. Control over his emotions, the way he handled others, and control of his shop. He closed it down soon after everything went down, and now, he was just Dandy. Dandy, who went rampage. Dandy, who hurt others.
Dandy, who teared up in fear of messing up again.
Without thinking, Cosmo pulled the flower into his arms.
Cosmo frowned deeply when tears started to soak Sprout’s scarf, Dandy seeking the warmth Cosmo was willing to offer.
“Its okay,” Cosmo hushed, “It's okay, Dandy. You’re forgiven, remember?” Cosmo pulled back, holding his shoulders as the flower hiccuped and sniffled. “We all love you.”
Dandy’s eyes were filled with a pain that Cosmo found terrifying to bear. Dandy whispered, “I don't want to lose you guys again.”
“And you won’t,” the roulade said immediately. “We’re all here to support you, love you, and be by you. We’re more than just toons, we’re your friends.” Cosmo then also started to tear up, smiling wobbily. “You’re my pal.”
Dandy sent a watery grin back, sniffling like a fool. Cosmo laughed, and so did the flower, the two hugging hard and long.
They swayed, and Cosmo felt Dandy slowly relax against him, their shoes slightly squeaking against the clean tiles of the hall.
He knew the flower needed this.
The situation for Cosmo wasn't just immoral; it was downright horrid with the amount of judgment Dandy had to push through. Cosmo always had Sprout. Always had his person to depend on, and for Dandy? Who was that? Well, he knew the answer, but they hadn’t gotten on good terms since the beginning of the outbreak. It stung, watching Astro and Dandy part - knowing they had been downright infatuated with each other since their first meeting. It was a type of friendship that reminded Cosmo of him and Sprout’s, but arguably stronger. Well, so he thought.
Cosmo always saw something there - something that existed between them that Cosmo could see as clear as day.
Cosmo expected them to make up. To be friends again, to see over the things of the past and forgive to forget. But that, surprisingly, wasn’t Astro. Astro had said that he never wanted to make things up again - that he wanted to be alone and didn't care for Dandy anymore, with fierce tears in his eyes.
He saw that all go down on the one day he got invited to sit in for a main meeting. He saw Dandy’s sanity hang on like a leaf as Astro screamed unforgettable words right to his face. Cosmo had never seen such a display of hurt come from either of the toons, maybe not from anyone in Gardenview. But he knew that the depth and the immense breaking of Astro’s voice made it fully true. He knew that there were tears in the moon's eyes that weren't planned to be there. So no, he doesn't expect them to make up anymore. He doesn't expect it to happen. Because Astro doesn't want it to happen.
Or so he thought, as Astro watched from behind the doorway at the end of the hall, meeting Cosmo’s eyes from over the flower’s shoulder in gratefulness. He looked tired, weary. But overall, he looked like he was longing. In surprise, he sent the cake a smile, shy.
Cosmo smiled back at the moon, rubbing his hand over Dandy’s back as he continued to sob.
Maybe they can.
Maybe, they would.
Cosmo only pulled the flower closer, shutting his eyes. He could only hope.
—