Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dandy wanders through gardenview. It's awfully quiet nowadays. It wasn't even that long ago when no matter where you were you'd probably find another toon. Another… ‘friend.’ Dandy likes to think that they're his friends, even if most of them aren't too pleased with him. No mind, this is what he wanted! And so few of them are conscious enough to remember what he did, so no bother even thinking about it!

Dandy hums a time to himself as he strolls aimlessly. The one issue with this, is it's awfully lonely. There are a few toons who he truly does miss being able to talk to.

There are footsteps in the distance, a friend. Somewhere. Dandy wonders who it could be! Which one of his lovely friends will he get to play with today?

From around a corner steps and oh too familiar face. Why, it's one of Dandy’s closest friends, Astro! He looks awfully sad… dandy should check up on him! Like a good friend would. He hasn't seen him since this all happened, after all!

—

A few weeks prior.

Astro is, and has always been, quiet and reserved. His own… feelings and emotions tend to be an enigma to him. Overwhelming dread, sadness without explanation, the works. But those, those he got used to. They made sense because they were normal to him. Just another day in the life of the moon toon. But his contentment in his misery was… interrupted? No that's not quite the word for it… pushed aside by an emotion that Astro, frankly, didn't know how to deal with.

Astro… used to be quite afraid of Dandy. Sure, he was an outwardly great guy, and the helpful protagonist of gardenview… but Astro always felt there was something sinister beneath his signature grin. Of course, eventually he got over it. The more he and Dandy spoke, the more he realized he had vastly misjudged the toon. He grew comfortable, would have even considered Dandy a close friend.

He thinks he got too comfortable. He can't pin down the exact moment, but eventually, that smile that he used to find so off-putting… made Astro feel… warm? Nauseated? GIDDY? whatever it was, it was nothing that Astro was used to. Despite the realization of that fact, it took far longer for Astro to come to the conclusion that he LIKED Dandy (as more than a friend.) it was honestly a bit embarrassing, As he may as well have been the LAST person in gardenview to realize (apart from Dandy himself.)

Astro always found himself wanting to spend more time with Dandy, something white uncharacteristic for the shy, usually antisocial toon. The other toons noticed. As Vee put it, Astro was ‘following him around like a lost puppy’ although, despite being.. one of the people Astro would consider himself on the closer side to, Vee was the LAST person he'd go to for emotional advice, and they both liked to keep it that way. And so, he decided upon the strategy of DENY DENY DENY!!

Astro and Dandy got to a point where they were almost always together. ‘the closest of Buds’ as Dandy put it. Of course, Astro was pretty sure Dandy didn't reciprocate. Sure, the flower toon was- a touchy person, the type to brush elbows with someone, or grab their arm (or even hand on some occasion) but- but he did that with EVERYONE!! right? Astro was desperate to convince himself, not to let himself get his hopes up. But still, every gentle brush- or even pat on the back- god FORBID the hugs!!! Astro would feel all- warm- and happy- and WEIRD!!!!!

Astro was finally forced to come to terms with it, the fact that he was MADLY in love with dandy (he had even started seeing him in his DREAMS. HIS DREAMS!!!) when TISHA of all people cornered him, asking if he and Dandy were together; all the toons were just dying to know apparently! Astro got… quite flustered while trying to explain that they weren't. (Because no, just because you imagined it about a million times doesn't mean it's REAL). Tisha's response was far too direct. A simple:

“OHHH I understand. So you're in love with Him!”.

Certain that nothing he'd be able to manage to get out would make it past Tisha, he admitted defeat, burying his face into his blanket with a mumbled

“maybe.”

Tisha giggled in response, before leaning forward a bit, intruding in on Astro’s personal space. (Only dandy was allowed to do that!)

“Well I'm pretty sure he likes you too!”

It took a bit of convincing on Tisha’s part, but by the end of the conversation… Astro had been convinced. Apparently he was the closest to Dandy in all of Gardenview!? Blasphemy! But Astro knew Tisha wouldn't lead him astray.

And so, throughout the week, Astro worked up his courage with the help of various toons (because, apparently, everyone is SOOO invested in Astro’s love life???) their confidence that Dandy would reciprocate really boosted Astro’s own. He was going to do it! He was going to tell him! Despite Astros protests, the rest of the toons had even managed to convince Vee to play the security footage so the rest could watch! If the rest of them hadn't already been so nosy, Astro would probably be embarrassed, but the newfound hope for his future powered through!

And finally, the day came. They were planned to hangout! Go on a walk or something. Astro approached the meeting spot with a confidence never seen before in him. Although, when he caught sight of the flower toon, the confidence melted away. The way that Dandy stood, sunlight bouncing off of his petals- the way he turned, and waved when he saw Astro- he felt weak. His stomach was doing backflips.

“Hey there Astro!”

Astro took a deep breath. He could DO THIS!!! Then approached, waving shyly.

“Hello-”

Right as he was about to make it over to Dandy, Astro’s knee buckled beneath him, sending him towards the ground. Just before his face was supposed to be smashing into the concrete, a hand grabbed his forearm.

“Woah there! You alright Astro?”

Dandy pulls him back up to a standing position, a hand on each of Astro’s shoulders. Astro is pretty sure he's melting under the other toon’s touch. After a moment of standing, entranced- Astro shakes his head, taking the slightest of steps backwards.

“Oh-yep. Thank you, Dandy.”

Dandy grins at him, that stupid… really nice to look at grin.

“That's good! Would hate to see ya hurt! Shall we?”

Astro moves to start walking, to fall into their easy conversation while enjoying the outdoors- but pauses, remembering his purpose.

“Yes but…um. First iuh- can I talk? To you?”

There's a nervous tremble to Astro’s voice. This is it, this is the moment.

“Sure thing? What's up?”

Dandy raises an eyebrow at him, smile not wavering.

Astro takes a deep breath. He can do this.

“Well… I… Dandy, I like you.”

He says it very matter-of-factly. There is a beat of silence, before in the same, unwavering cheery tone, Dandy replied.

“Why I like you too! That all you wanted to say?”

Dandy swings and arm around the back of Astro's neck, pulling him into a side hug. A pit opens in Astro’s stomach, dread spilling out. He pushes away slightly, to face Dandy better, being left with just a hand sat on his shoulder.

“No. I mean as in- I'm… I'm in love with you.”

There is silence. Dandy is staring at him. He's still smiling, but something is wrong about it. There is a darkly… gleeful look in his eyes.

“Astro…”

His voice is filled with venomous pity. Astro tries to step away. This was a horrible idea. He already knows- he- he doesn't want to hear Dandy say it. This was a horrible idea. Dandy's hand on his shoulder stays firm.

“you're… in love with ME?”

It is not said I'm the tone of someone clarifying. It is said in a tone that suggests Astro is pathetic for ever thinking he had a chance.

“Im- I'm sorry- I thought that… nevermind. It's nothing. Pretend i- pretend I didn't say anything”

Tears are beginning to prickle at the edges of Astro’s eyes. How could be be so stupid? Dandy doesn't let him leave though.

“You thought what? That I felt the same? Oh Astro.”

He finds this funny. His voice hitching as if he were about to laugh. Dandy’s look has turned cold. There is no comfort there. Astro tries to step back again.

“You're my best friend, Astro. Nothing more.”

He is leaning forward, keeping his hand on Astro’s shoulder. It is as if he is mocking him. And suddenly, the face that Astro would think about far too often- the one he'd imagined so many times as something sweet and tender- as something that maybe… just maybe he could've… it's no use thinking about that. Dandy’s words sting. Astro can't help it anymore, no matter how hard he blinks he can't stop the tears. Oh god. The rest of them are watching- they can see. They know- ohgod-. Astro moves a hand, tanking Dandy’s off of him, before running off, sobbing.

Dandy watches him go, face falling blank. He did mean what he said, Astro was his best friend. But oh well! He’ll come crawling back of course. They all do eventually. Not like they'll have much of a choice.

—------
The present.

Astro didn't know when it happened- or how. All he knows is that it's Dandy’s fault. All he knows is none of the others seem to be aware. They don't know what they've turned into. Astro does. It hurts. Existing like this hurts. What did they do to be turned into this? Astro doesn't want to hurt people, but his instincts, a feral urge to harm. He can still taste the ichor on his teeth, poor Boxten. He's sorry. He really is.

Dandy is standing there. When did Dandy get there. Astro feels sick, more than normal. Why does Dandy get to be normal? What did he do? Astro doesn't… hate Dandy. No, that would be too much a mercy. He's mad- upset at him- but… he still…

Astro lurches forward, jaw opening. The primal urge to kill overtaking him. Dandy steps to the side, and Astro crashes to the floor, his larger form burdening him. Dandy makes a tsk tsk sound, moving to in front of Astro.

“Now let's not be that way, friend. It isn't nice to kill our friends now, is it?”

Astro is trembling. Dandy’s right, and he hates it. He doesn't want to kill him. He can't speak, he tries so desperately but the ichor coats his vocal cords. He scrambles away slightly, inching across the floor away from Dandy.

“Hmph. Still hung up over that, are we, Astro?”

Dandy follows, the smaller toon walking right up to Astro once more. Astro doesn't reply, even if he could, he doesn't know if he'd have the words. He looks away.

“Poor, poor Astro. Awfully selfish of you to blame someone for just not loving you back, don't you think?”

His voice is dripping with condescension as he reaches out a hand, placing it on the side of Astro’s face, turning it with force to maintain eye contact. The worst thing is, Astro can't help but lean into the touch. He can't help but still… want. No matter how horrible it is- no matter what Dandy’s done… Astro is still so helplessly in love with him. Dandy grins down at him with that cold.

“Awfully pathetic, aren't you? Can't just let it be? I suppose it's not all your fault though. The ichor makes it… quite difficult to remain yourself. Doesn't it.”

Astro trembles as Dandy begins to pull his hand away, the last semblance of comfort leaving, even if it's a lie.

“poor, pathetic Astro. Come here, why don't you.”

Dandy sits down on the ground with an expectant look, an order. Astro obeys. He hauls himself across the ground to Dandy, who takes Astro’s head in his hands, lowering it to lay in his lap. Astro knows this isn't- it's a lie. But that doesn't make any difference. He's willing to believe the lie. All he wants is comfort. Astro curls in on himself, letting the feeling of someone he holds so dear gently pat the side of his head.

“Yes, Astro. Even like this, I'd say you're still my best friend.”

Best friend? favorite toy? They're one in the same. He knows what he's doing. And he revels in it

Chapter Text

I HATE THEM! Had to draw how horrible they are. there will be more. that's a threat and a promise.