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“Uhm, Dandy?” A voice piped up from above the counter as the flower Toon knelt underneath it, searching for a pack of bandages that was seemingly eluding him. However, his frustration quickly faded away when he recognized who exactly was calling him. He practically jumped to his feet, smiling at the owner of the voice.
“Oh, hey Cosmo! Whatcha need?” He leaned his head on the counter, using his arms as supports. His tail began to wag behind him.
Cosmo smiled as he reached into his hoodie pocket, procuring a few tapes; likely found laying around on the previous floor. “I was just wondering.. what do you have for sale this time?” He asked, holding the tapes out.
Dandy looked at the tapes, then back at Cosmo. Then at the tapes again. Then back at Cosmo.
“..Hmmmm… Oh! Hold on just a second!” He dove back underneath the counter to continue his search. Items of less value were carelessly tossed to the side as the pastry Toon watched with vague concern.
“If it’s too much trouble, you don’t have to-“
Got it.
“Aha!” Dandy sprung back up, holding a small box of bandages. “Not too much trouble at all! You know what? This one’s.. on the house!” He held it forwards, gently pushing Cosmo’s hand with the tapes away.
“Oh, really?” Cosmo tilted his head to the side, using a hand to support it. “You’re too sweet, Dandy.. thank you!” He took the bandages and tucked both them and the tapes back into his pocket. “If there’s any way I can pay you back, just let me know.” He smiled, paying no mind to the other Toons quietly buying the stuff on the counter next to him.
The flower Toon responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Don’t worry about it, Cos! Your sweetness makes up for it anyhow.” He leaned across the counter, and, quite brazenly (screw it, now or never) blew Cosmo a kiss with a playful grin. His petals rustled as his cheeks turned a faint pink— why did he do that? He didn’t quite know what he was thinking; something about the cake roll standing in front of him filled him with an indescribable warmth, like a plate of freshly-baked cookies. He felt like returning that warmth somehow.
Cosmo had a similar blush growing on his face as his eyes widened at the ghost-contact of the ‘kiss’. He stammered for a moment— the correct words seemed to be evading him. “Uhm- uh- thank you, Dandy. You’re pretty sweet too…!” He glanced to the left of him (Teagan was busy looking over some gumballs) and to the right (Shrimpo was trying to punch a hole in the metal wall of the elevator) and, after discerning that nobody was actively watching the two, leaned forwards and gave Dandy an actual kiss on the cheek.
It felt normal, in a way, like the natural progression of events; being close to the other Toon like this just felt right. However, it didn’t stop him from becoming incredibly flustered. And, judging by Dandy’s expression, he probably felt the exact same way.
Oh goodness, did he seriously just mess up everything this quickly-? He shouldn’t have come on so strong, especially with all these people around… he turned around abruptly, the ding of the elevator doors opening providing him an escape—
A hand gently tapped his wrist, and he stopped. “Ah- Cos, wait just a second, please!” Cosmo hesitantly turned back around, surprised to see a genuine smile on Dandy’s face.
“Do you mind staying in here with me? We can talk if you’d like.” He gestured around the brightly-lit elevator. As Cosmo quietly nodded, anxiety slowly leaving him like a popped tire losing oxygen, he shifted his weight to lean against the shop counter. It didn’t lower back beneath the elevator floors like it usually did after they reached the next floor. This time, Dandy simply hopped off of his box and stepped around, holding out his arms for a hug.
“…I’m sorry,” is all he said.
Cosmo immediately fell into the hug, tucking his head into the crook of Dandy’s shoulder.
“For what..?”
“For everything, Cosmo.”
——————
“Dandy, I-“
“I know, Cos. I know.”
Faint sniffling and choked sobs could be heard as the remaining lights in the elevator began to flicker. Cosmo and Dandy were the only two left in the elevator— the others had.. unfortunately passed earlier on. Ichor stained Cosmo’s apron in messy splotches, and a deep scratch across his face leaked some of the stuff. His hands gripped the shop counter as tightly as they could, shaking heavily just like the rest of his body.
Faint growling could be just heard outside. Cosmo knew for a fact that if he left this elevator, he wouldn’t be long for this world. The thought left him with a primal fear; his one comfort residing in the only other friendly being he knew was here.
Dandy stepped around the counter and stood in front of the pastry. His arms were held slack at his sides as he stared listlessly at Cosmo like he was a dead Toon walking, like he was a ghost— Cosmo couldn’t stand it.
A strangled cry made its way out of his throat as he threw his arms around Dandy, muffling his cries in the other’s shoulder.
Dandy softly patted Cosmo on the back as he felt tear stains form on his sleeve. A tear of his own sneakily slid down his face as he opened his mouth to speak.
“Do you mind staying in here with me..?”