Chapter Text
Watching the stars was our favorite pastime.
I just hope we can again.
Someday.
Tapes. I need those tapes.
They always ask why. They always refuse. They always mock. They always bring me to blame. It’s quite alright, though! They’re my friends, after all! I just wish they’d comply.
They don’t know my intentions.
Establishing my role in Gardenview wasn’t too hard to accomplish, believe it or not. The abandonment of our creators left a gap in the system. A gap a flower like me was just begging to fill! So, I took the job. I fit the description; after all, I’m the star! I’m the face of the brand! Of course they all trust me! I can fix it up, lickity split!
Doubt sunk in quickly. Quicker than anticipated.
But I’m sure it’s fine! It’s just a brief waver in society’s system! Surely, my bright personality and cheerfulness will brighten them up in no time! Smiles and waves, everyone!
The Toons festered hatred for me since day one.
But I’m sure it’s no issue! The Ichor Operation doesn’t affect them too much! As long as they steer clear, they’ll be fine!
I lured them into a damnation of my making.
They…hate me…
Yes. They hate me. They always have.
“Dandy! You want the tapes or not?” A pair of red fingers snap aggressively in my face. Dammit. Sprout. I rapidly blink, observing my surroundings. Right. My shop.
“Yes, of course! Always happy to help a friend!” I cheer, sliding the berry a health kit, snatching his tapes from his purse. He mumbles something I can’t quite make out. Probably an insult. I’m used to it. Who were the toons in this run again? Right. Sprout, Ginger, Looey, Blot, and Gourdy. Fascinating. I understand Sprout and Ginger, but Looey and Blot never really got along too well on their own, and Gourdy? Did he just tag along because he wanted some cookies? Can’t blame the kid, Sprout’s baking is amazing! Just…wish he’d make me something. He hasn’t for a while…Hm..
Welp! That’s a wrap for this floor! I pull the lever, descending to another run’s elevator to assist them.
Hm…this run’s an…odd assortment. Even weirder than the last. Maybe I should…yeah. I hastily toss a couple of gumballs and a jumper cable on the pillows for display. These toons haven’t bought in a while. Maybe this’ll convince them?
“You gonna buy something this time?” I couldn’t help my nerves setting in. I was already losing my temper, and they barely even started.
The disapproving stare of Vee as she inspected my items caused me to bite down on my tongue.
“That’s it?”
“Uhm..what do you mean?” I scratch my neck. They’re always so ungrateful.
“What the hell do you mean, just gumballs? Half of us are barely breathing as is!” She spat, tail flicking in an irritated manner. Scraps reached over and grabbed a jumper cable, dropping a tape set on the table. Unfortunately, Vee kept complaining. Yeah, I can’t deal with this.
I pull the lever without a response, and the toon’s complaints shut out of my range.
Ooh, this run just started! Let’s see the batch, hmm?
Nothing too out of the ordinary; it’s Shelly, Pebble (my sweet boy!), Bobette, Cosmo, Eclipse, Bassie, Glisten, and…
Astro.
My throat dries. I desperately want to shout something to grab his attention, but I know he’s more than aware of my presence. I can tell by his posture. His weak breaths.
I try leaving the floor faster than usual. It’s not like they had enough to buy, anyways.
I need to get him alone.
Him and I were put in a room for observation. On the floor, a grid. They gave us 3 spray paint canisters. A red, blue, and green. The grid was sprayed in purple.
They wanted us to get to know each other through a stupid game of tic tac toe.
Looking at the moon, I could tell he was more anxious…was he just that afraid to be in a presence as great as mine?
“You can be the O…what’s your name?” I asked, rolling him the blue canister. He smiled softly, picking it up, his hand still underneath the blanket. Hm.
“I’m Astro Novalite..you’re Dandy, yes?” He hummed, struggling to pop the cap off due to his restrictive blanket. I reached to take the canister, trying my absolute hardest not to frighten the guy. Either way, he flinched.
“What’s the matter?” He seemed oddly…protective of something. I knew I shouldn’t have pushed, but come on! You can’t hide things from me! I noticed the change in his expression, his widened eyes and a bead of sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
“A-ah…I’m just cold…is all. I don’t really…uh, wanna take the blanket off,” Astro stammered, finally popping off the spray paint’s cap and spraying his first O, right in the middle. Lord knows how he gained so much control, considering his willful handicap.
“You kinda put me in a bad spot there, buddy!” I giggled, clicking my tongue playfully and spraying my X in the top left. He let out a soft huff of laughter, and I could tell his nerves were eased ever so slightly.
“Uhm..” he sprays his second O, top middle, “so…why do you think they have us locked up in here?” I was wondering the same thing, honestly. I glanced at the grid…
I spray my last X in the bottom right, practically giving the guy a free win. I see his eyes widen…
He sprays an O in the bottom left, as if to silently retaliate. He’s not winning the game of losing. I defiantly spray my final, final X in the top right. He lets out a quiet sigh, and reluctantly admits to his win, spraying a defeated O in the bottom middle. I can tell that made him crack a smile.
“Shucks, guess I lost!” I dramatically sighed, swooning in addition to my gaping mouth and shut eyes.
“O-okay…drama queen…” Astro muttered, almost as if he was afraid. I glanced over to him, giggling and poking his shoulder.
“You’re…not too bad, you know that?” I stated, almost factually, as I leaned forward and rested my chin on my knees. The moon looked as if he was studying me, and…
He smiled.
A real, genuine smile.
I wish I could see it for the first time again.
I checked back up on the runs, and as expected, most of them returned back up to the lobby, probably due to some complications with the Mains.
Sprout and Ginger stuck together, though. They always do.
Why can’t we be like that?
I waved to the couple, pulling out a health kit and a few speed candies, Ginger’s quite slow, after all. Ginger first looked at the selection, snagging the speed candies and the health kit with a gentle ease. She shoots a soft smile and a quiet ‘thank you’. She knows that Sprout doesn’t like me, so any gratitude shown towards me has to be unseen. That’s the case when people are in a run with any of the mains. It’s odd. But not that unexpected.
Sprout next. He glared down at me, tossing a pack of tapes from his crocheted bag and grabbing the health kit. I have to scoff at the audacity.
“Excuse me, not even a ‘good morning, Dandy! How’s your day?’” I picked up the pack, glancing over the title hastily scribbled on a strip of tape. ‘Season 3 first half’. I pried open a box behind me, stuffing it in with the other tapes of the season. That almost completes Season 3! Only 17 more! I keep ‘em all organized, I would quite literally go crazy if they were messed up! Haha! Sprout whispered something to Ginger, and shot me a glance. I don’t even know why I’m surprised anymore. I pull the lever and descend once more.
The elevator’s lights buzzed with an irritating ring that won’t escape my head. The creaking of the machinery glues itself to the sides of my brain and rattle around until I attempt to claw it out. The smell. Oh, Lord, the smell. The smell of sweat, ichor, any bodily fluid strings my mind. And a sickening sweetness. There’s always that sweetness. The toons come in after a floor, and they’re absolutely beat. They look like they’ve fought several wars, and the untreated gashes on their arms stink of rotting flesh and mildewed ichor. I really can’t take it. I shove medkits in their faces to try to get them to cover it, but they only wait to use it until necessary. Cosmo’s tearing bits off of his body, only to bake them back on later. Same with Blot, but at least his ink is infinite. At least, I think. Shelly’s…I don’t know what Shelly’s doing, but she always looks exhausted by the end. It makes me sick to see my friends like this.
Is this what my legacy has become?
No matter, this is all…just…
Glisten leaned against the table, checking his nails (which were really just taped on chunks of paper, which I’m assuming Toodles did for him) and sliding me a handful of tapes. Season 2, specifically.
“Well, Dandicus, where’s my lovely extraction candy?” He merely hummed, rolling his eyes and shooting me a mix between a glare and a look of expectancy. God save me, he’s like a mini Vee but even gayer. I’m tempted to throw the candy into that blabbing mouth of his, but I just politely dropped it into his open hand. Only buyer, but I’m not complaining. It counts towards my full set, so I’ll take what I can get.
“I’ll have better stock next time!” I wave enthusiastically, and pull the lever.
Pull the lever, wait until a returning run, sell goods, get scolded, repeat! Pull the lever, wait until a returning run, sell goods, get scolded, repeat. Pull the lever. Wait until a returning run. Sell goods. Get scolded. Repeat.
I feel the deterioration of my mind worsen slowly through the cogs turning in the elevator’s mechanisms. They’re getting rusty. So am I.
I don’t know how much longer I can hold it up until I crack.
Until he sees me for what I really am.
Chapter 2: Stifling Insecurities
Summary:
I can’t see his face without remembering everything we’ve had. I have to figure out a way to have him in my arms again.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
A quaint field of flowers. The wind blows the grass in such a way that it appears almost liquid. And in the middle…a perfect chair. It’s dressed in various different greenery, and it’s definitely one fit for a king.
And so, I take a seat.
As I do, the word crumbles around me.
The calming space is replaced by a VHS player and a sole, busted TV. A tape temptingly sits on the floor. I know I shouldn’t put it in. It’ll make me want to watch more. It’ll make me remember what I had before it was ripped from my grasp. Before I ripped it from my grasp.
I always have dreams with the damn VHS. I’ve just never watched it.
“Dandy?”
My eyes flick over to that oh so sweet voice. Astro. I stand up, brushing off my knees and walking over to him. I feel..nervous? My hands are cramping, at least.
“Astro…! What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay out of my dreams?” I felt a teasing scolding was enough to shy him away from my…
Personal…
“You know…” I turned to Astro, who was laying as carefree as ever amongst the leaves of the newly shed tree.
That night was one of those nights where he’d stand at the foot of my bed, sneak into my dream and force me up, but not physically. He’d just pout quietly and I’d eventually agree. We’d walk together to the elevator, ‘chat’, and arrive in the lobby.
He had this one specific spot he’d like on the grass patch, one right in front of the tree, where our view was partially blocked by the sign, but the rest of the lobby was still visible. And of course, it had the best view of the stars. I could listen to him endlessly… His explanations of astronomy and the…azimuth and circumpolar coordinates…? I think? Either way, he never failed to simultaneously bore and delight me.
Astro’s eye lazily meets my own two, and the feeling that burns me is sickly sweet. If I smile any harder, it’ll hurt.
“Hmmm?” He hummed. His full attention was on me now, good. I took this as ample time to clear my throat and sit up like a proper flower should.
“What if…we ran away?” The words were whispered. I’m sure we had an unspoken agreement between the both of us that this was what we wanted, but saying it out loud was like throwing a dumbbell on my foot and expecting it not to hurt. I hear him choke on his spit. I’d help him, but it’d bring him further embarrassment.
Coughing into his fist, Astro leaned closer to me, and although his face is a darker blue, he seemed functional. A single tear dragged itself along his face. Now that I think about it, I just pray it wasn’t because of me. It didn’t seem like it.
“Uhm…Dandy…that’s very sudden..” a weak breath, “you’re the s-star of the show, we can’t just leave…” he mumbled, in which he clutched his blanket even tighter to himself. That caught my attention. He would always cling to that stupid blanket. The insecurities of his were hard to witness. How could someone so perfect hate himself so much?
“Astro?” I asked again. It was stupid of me, if I think about it. He sighed, a slight nod motioning for me to continue. I tugged on my petals (that habit being one of my worst…I still haven’t grown out of it), before eventually biting the bullet.
“What could possibly be under there that you’re hiding so desperately? I’m your best friend! You can show me!” My smile quickly dropped as I bore witness to his reaction.
Astro’s face paled almost instantly. I could’ve heard his teeth grit if I paid close enough attention. He swallowed. His gaze shot away from mine.
He didn’t trust me enough.
“You…you shouldn’t know…Dandy. You won’t like me anymore…”
“What?” ‘That sentence itself is so stupidly false!’ I wanted to shout. I wanted to tear teeth out and flail on the floor in anger. But, I unknowingly made the right decision, and nodded politely.
“I…” the words never felt like ones that would come from my mouth, “I understand. I understand you don’t trust me yet. I’ll be waiting for you when you do.”
Astro smiled again, this one less genuine. He wasn’t saying it, but I’m sure, I always was, even at the time, that he wanted some…
“Space?” I look around, my surroundings now akin to a planetarium. The large dome above me displays various jumbled constellations, ones I never cared to learn the names of. All the while, Astro stood, watching. I felt his eye following my every move.
I wish he had lacked such shame much, much sooner.
I could figure out why he came to visit. He wants to see me, but he’d rather hang himself than talk right now. Talk after yesterday’s events. I understand. I almost feel the same. I’d rather ignore him, he’ll want to visit more. Maybe next time, he’ll let me say something. But for now…I look at Perseus. His favorite isn’t out right now.
I arrive back in the lobby, and once again, the burning stares of the toons greet me. I don’t mind though. Well, not anymore.
The first time I got a dirty look after the closing was from Sprout. It had been after he returned from his first run, and I’d refused to sell him any heals. But I just wanted to teach the man, you know? This world is run by dogs, and they’ll eat you if you need a crutch. That was the last time he’d ever rely on me. But even then, hearing him berate me for my efforts, stare at me with such disdain…
I wanted to kill him.
Woah, Dandy, why so rash? Contain yourself, silly goose! Haha!
So I favored a wide smile. One that ticked him off further, but shut him up.
Sitting at my little booth, I pull the lever, flick on the radio, and turn on the lights.
“Shop’s open, folks!” I exclaim over the speakers, waving my hand and kicking my feet. I know the toons hate talking to me, but they reluctantly line up.
Shelly’s first, and she looks particularly happy today.
“Dandy, do you think you could get me my Dino onesie?” She asks, her tail wagging. At least someone’s happy to see me. I think.
“Yeah, sure thing…just, gotta remember where I put it! Be right back!” I shoot her a grin and step into the back. An intimidating set of racks await me…great. I keep forgetting to sort them. Luckily, her onesie is fairly easy to spot, so I snatch it off its hanger and walk back out.
When I return, Shelly’s already placed a box of ichor capsules upon the table, much to my satisfaction.
“Have a good day, Shells!” I take the box and slide it to the side, ringing up the cash register, crumpling the receipt, and shining my amazingly artificial smile.
“Next!”
I usually wrap up around 6am, and since it’s the weekend, I finally get to rest! Handling all of my friends sure is a chore!
I’m closing up shop, refueling the ichor into the system, and sorting my tapes, before a quite disruptive knock on the counter scares me shitless. I jolt, turning around, to meet none other than the overly jolly smile of..
Bobette?
“Hi, Dandicus!” The bauble giggles, tossing me a wrapped present. I let out a forced chuckle, catching the gift and standing up on a box so I can actually maintain eye contact.
“Haha, didn’t know Christmas came early! Also, I told you to stop calling me that, silly!” My tone’s so forced that even a brain damaged toddler could tell I was being sarcastic, but Bobette was none the wiser. Or maybe she knew, but felt like being polite. She beckons for me to open it, waving her gloved hands in the direction of the present. I know she spent her time making this for me, she does for everyone, but I find it more shocking that she actually made me something instead of ignoring me. I kind of ruined her life, after all.
Maybe she’s the type of person that forgives not because of the benefit, but because she’s just that much of a good person.
I used to be like that.
After some struggling, unwrapping the present brought me a…
“A tape stuffed toy. Really.”
“Don’t you like it?” As Bobette twirls, her jingle bells ring, creating an almost mocking song of memories lost to my mistakes. I have to force yet another smile.
“It’s…great! I love it! Thank you so much, Bobette!” That, fortunately, was enough to shoo her off.
With Bobette’s departure, I’m left alone with closing up both the shop and my thoughts. Was the present supposed to be a jab? I flick off the lights, the only light glowing from the TV, replaying Episode 1 on loop. I’m sure it was. No one gets me anything. Maybe it was sending a message? They hate me, right. Almost forgot that. Obviously. Why wouldn’t they do that?
“Dandy, you’re overthinking again.”
Who’s pestering me this time, I swear on my very real petals if it’s-
Oh.
“Astro…what a pleasant surprise!” I lean on the counter, a desperate attempt to act nonchalant as he stares at me. Despite me, he cracks a small smile.
There’s the Astro I missed.
The glow from the TV is illuminating his face, and his eyebags are almost blaringly clear. But, even with all of the abuse he’s thrown himself through, he still looks ethereal. My hands start shaking.
I’m such a weak flower.
“Dandy…I’d like to talk about yesterday.” He steps closer. Oh gosh. Well, I need to come face to face with him, anyways.
As I’m contemplating, I wonder what made him do this. If I recall correctly, he and the other Mains did a run yesterday, and…they lacked in providing.
That must have been the first time he's seen me Twisted.
Notes:
YAAAAOI i know it seems like this is being rushed…i can GUARANTEE u it’s not there’s gonna be a WHOLE lot of bullshit before they even THINK about dating again
milkiwaywishes on Chapter 1 Sat 01 Nov 2025 03:52AM UTC
Comment Actions
Snowy0wl on Chapter 1 Sat 01 Nov 2025 11:52PM UTC
Comment Actions
Chrono_logical on Chapter 1 Sat 01 Nov 2025 01:55PM UTC
Comment Actions
Snowy0wl on Chapter 1 Sat 01 Nov 2025 11:52PM UTC
Comment Actions
Chrono_logical on Chapter 2 Sun 02 Nov 2025 12:34AM UTC
Comment Actions