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Dazzle took in a deep breath, carefully approaching the glowing blue figure ahead of him. Clutched to their chest was the astronomy book Astro had given him, and now it was time to return it.
He hadn't wanted to return it. He read through it every night, hugging it close and thinking of his smart, soft-spoken friend as he slept. He almost never got to see Astro, as he was usually busy, but when he did…
It was all he could think about. His close friend’s tired eyes, his rare, beautiful smile.
But Razzle had told him that they should return it. They'd had it for a couple weeks by this point. Astro was both their friend, and Razzle felt bad that they were keeping it so long.
So here they were, approaching Astro in the library, desperately hoping he wasn't asleep. The library was a quiet, secluded place, at least at night. Dazzle had spent a lot of time with Astro here before, usually with the book club. But rarely, on nights when the heaters were working and the lights were dark, Astro would come here to stay the night as well. It was calm, Astro had told him. There were enough bean bags and pillows for it to be somewhat comfortable, and the smell of books was soothing.
Dazzle could agree. It was a nice contrast compared to the daytime. Having to watch everyone's lives go by was a somber sight to compare his own to. Quiet was always better than the constant chatter of people and other toons.
Razzle was tired, and for the most part, asleep. Usually with him in control they'd be walking around as fast as possible during the day–he was always filled to the brim with excitement. Now, though, with the late hour and dimmed light, it was up to Dazzle to do the talking. With him in control, they walked slowly.
“(I, uhm… Astro?)” Dazzle asked quietly, tentatively approaching him. Astro faced away from him, laying on a group of bean bags and staring up at the roof. “Oh, hey you two…” Astro sighed contently, and Dazzle could've sworn he visibly relaxed. “It’s nice to see you here.”
It was the reading area of the library where Astro sat. It was always the most comfortable part, especially because of the nice, soft carpet and the well-kept seating. Surrounded by bookshelves, even though the library was already empty, the extra seclusion felt… safe.
“(Sorry for barging in… I just…)” Why was this so difficult? Usually when he was around Astro, he spoke freely, feeling safe around him. He could suppose it was nerves.
“Oh no, it's perfectly fine… is there anything you want?” Astro’s quiet, smooth voice sounded like a comforting lullaby.
Dazzle hesitated, not knowing what to do. He eventually decided on walking across the library carpet over to the bean bags where Astro was, putting the book down, and Astro didn't protest when they plopped down comfortably on the pillows beside him. Above them were little plastic glow-in-the-dark stars. They scattered about the roof, unorganized.
Astro had been staring up at them, and still was. They reflected beautiful tiny little stars in his singular eye. Dazzle didn't know what to say. He could give Astro the book, but…
…Then he'd be done here, and he'd go back to the elevator and back to his room. But he didn't want to. Staying felt tantalizingly comfortable.
“(Yeah… is it alright if I stay here for a bit, though?)” Dazzle asked, uncertain.
“Of course,” Astro replied.
“(...The roof is pretty, huh?)”
“...Yeah.”
Dazzle was surprised to feel Astro reach out and hold his hand. Astro squeezed it reassuringly, and Dazzle let out a sigh, all the thousands of worries he'd have over the course of the past couple days dripping away. The two stayed in silence for a few moments, but those moments seemed to last forever.
“But…”
“(Hm?)”
“I don't know, I guess…” Astro started, then paused, looking unsure. “(I'm listening,)” Dazzle said. The moon-like toon let out a sigh, and took a deep breath before continuing.
“All the stars here are… they're fake. Like everything else down here.”
Astro shuffled to the side, closer to Dazzle, until he was leaning on him. “(Well, you're a star, and you're real,)” Dazzle said.
“I mean they're not like the real stars, the pretty unreachable ones outside-” “(Why would I ever want those when I have the prettiest star right here next to me?)”
A pause. “I-um… That's- that's not wha…” “(Mhm… I can tell you're smiling.)” Dazzle turned his head and met his eyes with Astro's. The other toon blushed a blue hue, but didn't dare look away.
They stared at each other for a few long moments, until Astro broke the silence, looking away from Dazzle's warm gaze for a moment and back up at the roof. “...I'm sorry. You already have more than enough sorrow in your life, you don't need mine.”
“(No, even if my life is more tragedy than comedy, it's so much better with you in it…)”
“...Do you really mean that?”
Astro turned his head and looked back at Dazzle, his eyes still shining from the light of the stars above them. Dazzle reached over and wrapped both their arms around Astro, leaning closer to him. “(...Of course I do.)” They stayed like that for a moment, their faces mere inches from each other, before Astro leaned forwards and kissed him.
It was only for a moment, but when the two broke apart, Dazzle felt like his face was on fire. His mind racing, he didn't know what to say. “Oh no- I'm so sorry, was- was that-” Astro stumbled with his words, his voice containing a hint of regret. “(No, don't be sorry-)” “-I’m sorry, I won't do it again, I-” Astro was cut off when Dazzle kissed him back.
They stayed still for a few more long moments, before Dazzle suddenly remembered the reason why he was here. Thinking of the Astronomy book, he broke away from Astro and said, “(Actually, I, uh, came here to ask you something.)” “Anything,” Astro replied, his voice breathless and sounding like sweet honey.
“(The, um, Astronomy book you lended me? Do… you want it back? I brought it here to return it…)”
Astro smiled, his eyes drooping tiredly as he leaned into Dazzle’s touch.
“...Oh, that? You can keep it.”