Chapter Text
I've always had a crush on Astro, no..... rather, it would be more accurate to say madly in love with him, for years...
As time passed I was certain he'd eventually notice how I felt and reciprocate. I just needed to keep pushing and pushing, then everything would be just as I've dreamt it.
(Operation: confession)
"Wait- operation, what now?" Cosmo uses his pointer stick on the whiteboard "Come on Poppy I've said it 5 million times already, it's called Operation: confession! Guaranteed to work this time!" Boxten raises his hand "N-not that I don't believe you Cosmo but... you said that about last time, and then the time after that and after that- it's just- are you sure it's gonna be any different?"
"Oh come on Boxie," poppy jumps in "of course he's-"
"It's gonna be different!" Cosmo steps forward, the look on his face resolute and sure. "It will be, and that is a promise!" The pair nodded "but that's not why I called you 3 here, I need your opinions on what to give Astro." A quiet contemplation washed over the room before one of them spoke.
"W-why not give him a star cake?"
"OH! OH! What about a moon cake with stars!" Poppy adds. Cosmo considered the pairs suggestion, a cake was easy enough, he was a baker for crying out loud. But he wanted to hear what the last toon had in mind before making a decision. "Well? What do you think would be a good thing to give?" All attention turned to the last toon who seemed confused by the situation. ".uoy evol ydaerla ot smees eH .lla ta gnihtyna tfig ot evah t'nod uoy ,em ksa uoy fI", he gestures at Cosmo then continues "?haey ,eulav latnemitnes evah seod ti ,oga gnol uoy evag eh teknalb taht esu tsuj ton yhw od ot tnaw yllaer uoy tahw si gni tf ig fi tub"
"Blanket? Did you say blanket, Blot?" The mime sighed and nodded his head. "Thats... an amazing idea!!! Why didn't I think of this??" Cosmo erased his power point "the blanket Astro gave me is still in my room, and it will be perfect for my confession!" Cosmo created a storyboard showing, picture by picture, how he planned to give the blanket to Astro. "It's full proof!" Poppy and Boxten looked at each other "How so?" Boxten raised his hand again "Is it because he likes to sleep a lot?"
"No Boxten! It's because this particular item is something only me and him share, so naturally it will be the key to all of this!" He clapped his hands "Alright, meeting is dismissed! I thank all of you for coming!" As everyone left, Cosmo, now alone, started putting his plans into action. He practically raced to his room, looking through every nook and cranny for any sign of the blanket until finally locking his eyes on a box under his bed. "There you are!" He excitedly snatches up the box and opens it. "It almost looks brand new!" he snuggles up into the blanket and smiles to himself, remembering the moment Astro gifted it to him.
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4 years ago
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He had ran away from everyone, he couldn't let anyone see him like that. No matter how hard he tried the tears just wouldn't stop falling. Dyle had been Cosmos first crush and now his first heartbreak.
5 hours ago
"Um... I made these for you." Cosmo holds out a small bag of cookies he had prepared the night before.
"I know I bake for everyone, but... I always end up thinking about what you'd like the most." He could feel his face grow warmer with every breath but he couldn't stop now, he had to follow through.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I really like you. More than a friend, I mean."
"...So, uh, i w-was wondering if you were interested in dat-"
The Toon before him raised a hand, stopping Cosmo abruptly. The pocket watch sighed and silence washed between the pair that Cosmo could only describe as awkward agony.
"..."
Dyle adjusts his tie, looking momentarily caught off guard. "I see. Thank you for informing me of your feelings." A brief pause.
"I will admit, I am... not particularly experienced with matters such as this."
"However, it would be irresponsible of me to allow you to believe those feelings are returned when they are not." He glances away for a moment before continuing.
"You are someone whose company I appreciate. More than you may realize, actually. But not in the way you're hoping for." Cosmo could feel his heart break in an instant, he avoids Dyles gaze. The Watch, however, continues.
"My responsibilities already occupy most of my time, and... relationships have never been something I've given much thought to." He straightens up, returning to his usual professional demeanor.
"I apologize if this is disappointing. Truly. But I believe honesty is preferable to false hope."
Cosmo stays silent for awhile before giving a quick
"I understand..." and hurries out the door. He didn't want Dyle to see him cry, he didn't want anyone too.
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How pathetic he was, in a dark room curled up in a ball crying like a kicked puppy. What would Sprout think seeing him like this? Pathetic...
The sound of a door opening could be heard. "Cosmo are you there? I thought I heard something here." Astro peeked his head inside catching a glimpse of Cosmo hiding his face. "Cosmo... Sprout is really worried about you. He said you didn't show up for Boxtens baking lessons." Astro slowly approaches.
"Cosmo?"
"STAY AWAY! Don't look...DON'T LOOK AT ME, PLEASE DON'T LOOK!" Astro jolts back in surprise. "I- I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have lashed out at you." The cake-roll wiped his tears away. "I want to be alone right now." Astro stood there for a moment and then silently sat beside Cosmo. "W-what are you doing?"
"Cosmo, something is clearly wrong and it wouldn't be right for me to leave you alone while you're hurting. Will you really not tell me what's going on with you?" His voice soft and soothing, Laced with concern.
"I don't want to tell you anything!"
"Okay, then we can sit here, you don't have to tell me anything."
"I- want to be alone!"
"You can act as if I'm not here."
"..."
"..."
"Why? Why are you doing this?"
Astro smiled softly "because I care."
They both sat in silence, the slight blue glow of Astros body illuminating them. Before Cosmo knew it, he had fallen asleep. when he woke up the next morning , he found Astros blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Later that day Astro would tell him it was a gift.
This would mark the day he fell for Astro.