Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Boxten heaved, his wind-up key spinning crazy. Distorted music played from his head, his vision foggy with tears, as the colors of his room danced mockingly. Around that noise and mock, he heard a door open in the corridor of the rooms, and guilt seeped into his abdomen. He breathes heavily, his throat becoming dry as his vision blurred more, and the guilt of waking up someone again ate him alive.

A few knocks were planted onto his dark wooden door, his eyes snapping to it. Pure fear built up in his throat, drying like it hadn’t be raw from screaming awake. His door opens, light seeping in and blinding him momentarily, the colors swirling away.

“Will you tone it down?” Glisten steps in, setting down a glass of water and sitting at the edge of the bed. He fixes his robes, eyeing the music box with a tinge of worry, but mostly annoyance of being woken up.

He couldn’t speak, the words in his throat burned as his vision cleared slightly, being able to identify better the taller toon. He looks down, his wind-up key clicking till the music dies. His labored breathing dies down, as he picks at his nails uncomfortably. He opens his mouth, dry and scratchy at the same time.

‘I’m sorry...” Are the words that leave his vocal cords, what else is there to say? He had prodded at Astro already, but nothing will budge the nightmares. He talked with Poppy and hell even Glisten, nothing will make these commanding and twisting dreams that made his head swirl in mock and disgust go away. He bothered anyone that came near and the last thing he could say was sorry, even if it wouldn’t fix it.

Glisten sighed, tilting his head as the music box trembled and uttered apologies like a broken record, his eyes drooped, sympathy deep in his heart, but annoyance and anger written on his face.

“Have you talked to Astro?” The mirror spoke out, the latter that was crying nodding his head.

“Has anything changed then?” Boxten shakes his head. Glisten sighs, staring at his nails.

“Well, I'm talking with him, I can’t waken up again by this unless Dandy wants me to turn sluggish from lack of sleep.” Glisten smiles ‘as if that will happen’ The mirror thought to himself. He stands up patting the purple box’s head. The wind-up key clicked again, snapping the smaller out of his worrying trance.

“Don’t leave...” Boxten spoke softly, a rasp in his voice.

The mirror with wide eyes, that had a slight bag of tiredness, stared stunned. Sure, the music box had asked many times to stay, but most of them are on the day. With a scoff he folds his arms over his chest loosely.

“Fine, but the second you wake me up again, I'm leaving” The smaller nods, pulling Glisten to be his personal pillow. Boxten mumbles, his sleep deprived nature making him tense as he rested.

Glisten held his breath, tensing at the tender hold of the music box. Relenting at the gentle hums, the taller sighed. His arms wrapped around Boxten, feeling the earlier sweat already drying on the smaller’s back. Glisten, matched his breathing pattern with Boxten’s, hoping it will calm the distressed music box. With a sigh, he closes his eyes. He didn’t have his sleeping mask, but Boxten’s room was dark enough to lull him to sleep.

Boxten was still awake, staring with tired eyes at the wall of his room. The mirror was warm and gentle, making the smaller feel safe for the time being. His eyes closed, hearing the hums of air conditioning from the ducts.

Both lay on the purple bed, their breathing patterns synching from time to time. The dark room enveloped them, casting a blanket of sleep on the toons.

In the dream world, Astro spun between all the toon’s dreams, he yawned turning to Boxten’s. He had been trying to figure out why the music box never had the good dreams he gave. He brings his four arms to hold Boxten’s mind space, but it only showed blank. The floating toon swirled, confused at the blank mind. Why was this happening, why did the ‘nightmares’ plague the music box? What did he see, that made him more skittish and scared? What gave him these nightmares? Astro turned holding the mind space on a tight embrace.

“My poor little lullaby...”

He sighed, yawning as he held onto the blank dreams of Boxten and checked up on other toons.

Chapter Text

Shrimpo never slept, he hated sleeping. He also hated the fact of hearing Boxten scream every night. In fact, he hated everything that the music box did, the music, the small voice, the shyness. The thing that he enjoyed about Boxten was the small snark the taller held every time they talked.

He scoffed at the thought. “Grr...”

The shrimp paced around his room, anger written on his face. He exhales, flexing his knuckles before hitting a blow on one of the many punching bags in his room. He snarls continuing to hit vigorously at the sack till it broke, from that he hit the wall. A new hole appeared in his room, and he grins, with his sharp teeth, at the thought of Dandy reciprocating at him. It quickly turns into a frown, the alarm clock hanging from his ceiling ringing.

‘Stupid, Dandicus..’ He throws a boot at the alarm, nearly hitting it. Grumbling, he exits his room, slamming the door in the process and waking up other resident toons.

In the kitchen, Cosmo heard the elevator opening, hearing the angry stomps coming from it, already preparing for the yells from the shrimp. He brewed Passionflower tea, mostly for Boxten. He had been awake at the hour of the music box’s scream, he felt awful for not being helpful since the nightmares started, so he decided to research the best soothing teas. He starts today, Teagan had supplied him with the box of the drink, she didn't question it, but he knew deep down that they were aware why he was asking.

He watched the water boil, its pure and clear ridges staining with the tea’s color.

Beside him stood Sprout, worry written on his face.

“Cosmo.” He spoke, trying to keep a stern voice, but some sweetness being under it. The smaller turned to him a raised brow as if questioning the mention.

"Sprout, I’m okay... just worried about Boxten..” The cake roll poured the hot tea into a cup, setting it aside as he turns completely at Sprout.

Sprout furrowed his brows, turning off the oven as the alarm rang. He crosses his arms, staring at Cosmo. He knew that Boxten had been having nightmares, he even asked Astro about it, concerned about the main and the common.

He opens his mouth, a soft breath escaping him before being interrupted. A chair screeches across the room, both food related toons turn their heads to the sound. Shrimpo pulled at the chair, sitting on it with his legs propped up on the table.

“WHAT?” the smaller toon huffed, glaring at the cooks.

Cosmo and Sprout look at each other briefly, deciding to continue the conversation later.

Sprout opened the oven taking out the biscuits, the heat filling the room. Cosmo on the other hand was opening the fridge, feeling the cool air, while he takes out the orange juice for the breakfast.

They move in coordination, serving and pouring the nutritious food as other toons file in. It was like a dance, recited with small ‘your welcomes’ and ‘enjoys’. The food themed toons, finally sit together, their gazes falling onto the two empty seats, Boxten and Glisten were missing.

The duo looks at each other, concerned at the missing toons.

Chapter Text

Goob was a very heavy sleeper, Scraps wasn’t. Meaning that the cat toon would tell her brother the screams and cries she heard from Boxten. She wasn’t angry but was getting a bit more annoyed as time passed. Goob on the other hand was worried. It’s also a reason why he is always late for breakfast.

He liked Boxten! He accepted his hugs, played music from time to time, and listened to him when he spoke out his thoughts! Overall Boxten is a kind toon, and he wouldn't lie that he was thought of having the music box all to himself.

His tail wags as he stands idly in the elevator, his fluff was all tangled, he hasn’t been able to brush it recently. His sister did it usually, since his arms tangled sometimes when he did. Though this time he thought of asking Boxten, maybe brushing the fur would calm him down. He smiles at the thought and closes his eyes. Hearing the elevator, his eyes open as he sees Boxten and Glisten entering. The mirror gives a small smile and Boxten waves with a nervous smile. The fluffy craft smiles, stretching his arms and pulling the music box into a tight hug. Boxten, erratic as ever, lets out a small yelp, calming down after being pressed against Goob’s fluffy chest.

Glisten fixes his lashes and presses the button to go to Sprouts Kitchen.

“Good morning, Goob” He turns, the elevator already going down.

He looks up from Boxten and smiles at the mirror. “Hey, Glisten! Did you sleep well?” They continue talking idly, Boxten still wrapped in Goob’s embrace.

The elevator opens; Cosmo and Sprout look at each other for a few seconds as they hear it.

Cosmo stands up, going to serve the missing toon’s plates. Sprout, on the other hand, takes the jug of orange juice and serves the three empty cups, refilling Toodles cup too. The first to walk in is Glisten, smiling.

“Good morning!” He sits down on the makeshift long table with picnic ones.

Some toons smile and greet back; others wave since they had food in their mouths. Then it was Goob and Boxten, the music box held the flufycraft’s hand, the dog adjacent toon smiling. Boxten smiles, waving as his eyes drooped slightly, lack of sleep present.

“Morning...” Boxten says quietly, patting Goob’s hand as he goes sit next to Poppy. The bubble grins, finishing her bite of biscuit. Goob frowns slightly, quickly turning to a smile as he goes to sit next to his sister.

“Morning, BOXTEN!” she smiles wrapping her arms around the music box toon.

Boxten smiles nervously giving her a pat in the back.

“Morning, pops”

She giggles continuing to eat her food.

Cosmo places the plate in front of Boxten, placing his hand on the music box’s shoulder. He smiles, staring with kindness at the nervous toon.

“I made some tea for you; do you want it with honey?” He stares, watching as Boxten lets out an indecisive yes as he turns his head to look up at the cake roll.

Cosmo smiles, glad the taller toon didn't protest, going to serve the tea with honey. Sprout had already sat down, turning his head at Boxten as he played with his food.

“Boxten.” he says sternly, a hint of worry in his voice.

The music box looks up, staring at Sprout with a raised brow.

“y-yes?”

The strawberry speaks up again. “Are you okay? Did you sleep well?”

Boxten shakes his head.

“I’m okay! Really... Just not hungry”

Glisten’s scoffs, putting his fork down. Rolling his eyes as he turns to Sprout.

“If waking up at the middle of the night while screaming is okay”

Sprout’s face hardens slightly, letting go of his cup.

Astro hums from the table, concerned as he stares at Boxten, dazed. “I’m sure I gave you good dreams last night.”

Glisten groans. “That’s what you've been saying since he asked you! And every night I must hear him scream his throat raw!”

Poppy chimes in, a bit angry. “Yeah! Well... I'm a heavy sleeper, but I know he barely sleeps!" Shrimpo had caught wind from the yells, scoffing at it.

Cosmo comes from the kitchen, setting the cup of tea in front of Boxten.

“We will talk about this later... This is no place to fight. Please enjoy your food...”

He turns his gaze at Sprout staring sternly.

Chapter Text

Blot and Looey talked idly, Yatta chiming in whenever she wasn't scarfing food down her throat.

The balloon dog was listening to the inky toon, darting his gaze to the conversation that was being heated up by the second. He wasn’t noisy, just preoccupied... His attention turns to Yatta’s voice that was saying his name like a taunt.

“Looeyyyyy~ Blot’s asking you a question!” She was grinning from ear to ear, food already gone from her plate and she was trying to pick from his own.

He just handed it to her; he wasn’t hungry much. As she says a small thank you, he turns back to Blot. The droopy toon’s face wrinkles, symbolizing a smile was present in his face.

“?yako uoy erA” (are you okay?) The mime tilts his head.

Looey, smiles, brushing it off. “Yeah yeah! just spaced out.”

Blot was also listening to the heated conversation; he was one for the gossip when he felt like it. But this time, he was more focused on the topic of the conversation. Boxten. Admittedly he had a little knack for the music box, he always seemed tired and stressed. He knows how bad the runs can get but were the nightmares that bad...? He tried prodding at Boxten, but the music box barely understood him or just stayed quiet. It nagged him so much. Blot cared for Boxten, even if they barely interacted, the music box was caring, understanding and forgiving... Well, that’s how he interpreted. Nevertheless, how could such a kind toon have been given such a curse?

After his intense thought he starts speaking with Looey, both gazes falling on Boxten from time to time.

Rodger was sitting next to Toodles, the kid rambling about an investigation of missing papers around Gardenview. The older knew it was Scraps that had been taking them, she was always asking for paper, and her side of the room was full of crumpled ones. He hummed at Toodles’ theories, his one eye shifting around the place. It eventually landed on Boxten.

The music box was a wreck, as he deemed. Always nervous, erratic, and panicked, in and outside of runs. He wanted to interrogate Boxten, sure he already knew that the reasons of his erratic nature were due to nightmares, but about what...? He had asked Astro, later getting a warning by Dandy to not be asking for personal information.

He groaned internally, head swirling with thoughts about deciphering the music box’s worries.

Chapter Text

After the whole ordeal in breakfast, Boxten only drank the tea given by Cosmo. His shoulders were tense, wind-up key clicking. Thankfully, he locked his lid, if not the kitchen would have been filled with distorted music.

Poppy rambled on and on about her new dance routine, the music box listened to her, his eyes wandering around the table filled with toons. They all looked tired and exhausted, his stomach dropped. What if he was the reason they all looked tired? What if he was the one who made them angry or snappy all the time? He lets go of the cup, setting his hands on his thighs as he thought about it.

His palms sweated, wind-up key spinning, his thoughts just wanting to be buried and never seen again. He bit his lip bringing one of his longest nails towards his mouth, biting it in gentle manner to make it last.

Poppy just kept rambling, but she noticed the change of behavior from her friend. She kept talking, trying to get him out of his trance, but it seemed like something else snapped him out.

Dandy stood at the foot of the table, a gleaming smile on his face. To his left was Dyle, staring uninterested at everyone at the table.

Everybody went silent, except Shrimpo and Vee who let out a scoff at the flower’s behavior.

Boxten looked up, putting his hand back on his lap as he stared at the two Lethals mains. He swallowed the saliva in his mouth, paying attention to them.

“Good morning, friends!” Dandy beamed, clasping his hands together.

All the toons stilled, knowing that an announcement would be held. Dyle cleared his throat, stepping forward.

“Goodmorning. Today I require help with supplies. Dandy, has separately decided who will go with me.” The pocket watch toon swinged his chain. The flower keeps smiling as he nods.

“Mhm! Well friends, the ones that will go with Dyle are Sprout Seedly..”

The strawberry cringed, face wrinkling as Vee snickered.

“Finn...”

Finn smiled, tapping his fingers against the table.

“Razzle and Dazzle”
The twins looked at each other, despair and optimism differing their expressions.

“Shelly”
She smiles, her tail wagging.

“Looey”
The balloon dog smiled nervously.

“Flutter”
She tilts her head wings twitching.

“And finally, Boxten”
He was staring at Dandy with wide eyes. Him? He was probably one of the weakest. Though, he stayed quiet, nodding at Dandy as he kept his head down. He went back to picking his nails, waiting for any other announcement.

Dandy stared waiting for any protest, hands still clasped together. Dyle on the other hand, stared with a blank face, lingering on the music box, then raising his brow at Dandy.

Chapter Text

Oh, how he hated this. In a train cart, with toons that probably hated him. He scratched at his neck, eyes wandering around. Dyle stood at the front, a switch controller on his hand.

Boxten was near the back, eyes wide open as he stared. Next to the nervous toon was Shelly.

She knew that look, she knew very well that stance. Her tail involuntarily flicks, she shifts and turns to him completely, laying her clawed hand on his shoulder.

“Are you doing okay...?”

The music box flinched, lid popping open slightly, then snapping shut.

“Yeah.. and you?”

The fossil flicks her tail, letting go of him, a small smile on her face

“I’m good.. just tired.”

Boxten hums, understanding.

“Yeah... I get that.”

Watching from a far was Dazzle, admittedly he was jealous. His brother could easily strike up a conversation with the music box, and apparently Shelly could also. His already undying frown became deeper. What a joke, he thought.

Razzle, feeling the sagging feeling of his pessimistic brother, flicks Dazzle.

“Come on! You want to go up to him?”
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“…he seems to not want to be interacted with…”
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“Nonsense! This will be just as easy when we got him to play Juliet in our play!”
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“…We dragged him…”
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“Exactly!”

Razzle makes the move to go to
Boxten, appearing next to the spaced-out music box

Boxten was staring at Dyle. Eyes sharp and hanging on the main toon. He wasn’t scary.. just sharp.

Razzle taps Boxten’s shoulder. Making the smaller jump and turn to the conjoined twins.

“Oh, hey Razzle, hello Dazzle”

Razzle smiles, waving excitedly. Dazzle, raises his hand and raises in gentle manner.

“...Hello Boxy...”

Boxten was surprised at the nickname, only Glisten called him that, but he accepted it. It rested well with Dazzle’s voice.

Razzle on the other hand was ecstatic, his brother, making subtle moves!?! Oh this was perfect! He keeps grinning, while Dazzle talked in his hushed and relaxed tone.

After what seemed like half an hour, the train comes to a halt, the wheels screeching. All toons come together waiting for further instructions from Dyle.

Chapter Text

Dyle stared with disinterest at the toons, his clock hand mustache clicked as he thought about what to do with them.

His gaze was perplexed, brow furrowed, eventually opening his mouth.
“Looey, you are the main distractor. Flutter you are backup.”

They both nod, turning to each other to plan their methods. Dyle shifts his gaze to Finn and Shelly.
“You two, machines to the left”
He then shifts to Sprout and Razzle and Dazzle.
“Machines to the right”

He finally fixes his gaze on Boxten, eyes sharp and ice cold.
“You come with me; we are looking for supplies together.”

Boxten, blinks surprised. Being with a main? His wind-up key spins as he goes deep in thought. How is he going to get out without fucking up this time?

He sighs, nodding as Dyle opens the doors of the cart. He stands next to the pocket watch toon, waiting for the other toons to step out.

“After you, Boxten”

The main’s eyes wander around the cowering music box, a grin playing on his face. He was interested to say the the least, the sharp noises of music in the middle of the night, the mysterious nightmares that appeared. It exhilarated Dyle to know more. The pocket watch toon moves swiftly behind Boxten, holding his chain.

“Boxten, how are those dreams treating you?”

The music box jumps up, tilting his head at him. “Dreams…? You mean nightmares”

“Is that so? I thought Astro said he gave you nice dreams,” Dyle spoke, lacing his voice with concern.

They continued walking, picking up resources in crates; Boxten stayed quiet after the earlier question. He could never talk badly about Astro, even if his heart thought the moon hated him. Eventually he finds his answer.

“They are nightmares... but I know Astro is trying his best... He has many toons to take care of.”

Dyle, with his sharp gaze, changes his attention to the surroundings. “of course...”

Boring, the clock thought. He wanted something entertaining, something more interesting that will keep his mind ticking.

“I’ve heard you, countless times, play a distorted tune... perchance it helps you calm down?”

The music box stayed silent, an embarrassment written face lacing his factions.
“god no... I cannot control it as I sleep”
“And in the day? You barely play anymore” Dyle questions, as he picks up a bottle of pop.

Boxten stays quiet, he did not want to play. What if he annoyed the other toons, besides his playing is not that good, so why play it?

“…”

“Mm?”

The rest of the research of supplies stayed in a tense but stable silence, no more questions or menacing stares. Just collecting pops, meds, bandages, cables, and old rusty valves that could be of use later.

Well for Boxten, Dyle on the other hand was intrigued. His mustache twitched, a tick was heard.

He wanted to dig out the information; he could help the music box if he found out. It was amusing to say the least, a shy but musical toon, retreating into himself each and everyday faster. His head swirled like a broken clock, he will find a middle ground, eventually…