Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sound of the gentle countryside breeze in the mornings makes itself present through a small window. The sun rays slowly filter in while the sky remains its characteristic light sky-blue color, the butterflies flutter their wings high above the green grass and the sound of the little birds becomes present with a soft melody, the same as every day.

A slight yawn coming from Sprout is heard. He gets up from the bed reluctantly, sleepy from waking up so early, rubbing his eyes quickly to get rid of the sleep.

"Uhgg... What time is it..?" He muttered to himself, checking the time on the small clock on his bedside table.

When he checked the time, it was barely 8 in the morning. He blinked a little, confused, he felt he had forgotten something important and couldn’t remember it, it didn’t take long until he remembered, he had a trip, and he was running late.

"Oh... shit, shit, shit!!" He cursed, heading clumsily to his wardrobe, pulling out a small suitcase and clothes already prepared in advance.

"I hope I make it on time..-" Desperate, he ruffled his hair trying to make it look slightly decent, though he failed in the attempt. Clumsily and quickly he put on a yellow shirt, orange pants and a long striped scarf with both colors. 

Once he finished getting dressed, he quickly headed to his cork board, taking off some photos of him, of the countryside and of his family in general. Suddenly a knocking on his bedroom door echoed strongly while a firm and melodic voice could be heard shouting through it.

"Sprout Seedly!!! Get out of there right now or you’ll miss the train!!" Announced Sprout’s mother, trying to open the door to see what her son was doing that was taking him so long. 

The bedroom door opened quickly thanks to Sprout’s intervention, who was standing amid complete chaos in his room but ready with his suitcase in hand, slipping past his mother.

"I’m ready! Don’t worry mom, I have everything under control, we’ll get there on time if we don’t stop to buy food for my breakfast, of course..." He hummed with a crooked and clumsy smile, pretending to have everything under control when clearly he didn’t.

"Ah.. what am I going to do with you my son." She sighed only to curve her lips into a calm smile, not paying much mind to her son’s words, she took out a bag with apples inside, handing it to him. She looked at him for a few seconds to fix his hair with her hand, seeing it so messy, and let him go. 

" You look better like that. Now let’s go! Come on, come on, come on!! The train won’t wait for you all day, young man!" She said, patting Sprout’s back with a big radiant smile, pushing him out of the house to go to the train station.

Once Sprout left the house, he looked around for a few seconds and then at his home, a little melancholic about leaving it all behind. But could you blame him? The countryside is a beautiful place, the fresh morning air, the sound of nature, the sun hitting your face, the tranquility it gives. But for Sprout all of that became repetitive, a routine he felt the need to escape from. He loves his home, but now he has a goal in mind, to look for something exciting to happen in his life and bring back the spark he lost.

He dropped his suitcase into the car trunk, closing it without much hurry, he felt anxious and distracted, or well, that would be the word someone would use if they saw him.

With just a blink of an eye, Sprout was already standing in front of the train doors. Holding his suitcase tightly as his heart pounded hard. He turned to look at his mother, who waved her hand slowly side to side, drawing a confident and sweet smile on her face while small tears fell down her cheeks, perhaps out of pride at seeing her son start a new stage in his life.

"Goodbye,my son,i love you!!" She shouted loudly, just to make sure she was heard while clasping her hands.

"Bye mom, I love you too,wish me luck..!!" He said goodbye with slight insecurity, before entering the train, he quickly turned around to hug his mother one last time "I really love you, I’ll take good care of myself and I’ll send you messages, I promise." He murmured to his mother only to separate from her and enter the train with his suitcase in hand.

When he entered, he looked for his assigned seat while he watched through the window how the train began to move. Sprout started imagining what his life would be like once he arrived at the Big City- what would he do? There were so many things to do and he already felt anxious about it, about the new experiences he would live, about meeting new people and other things.

When he found his seat, it didn’t take long for him to arrange his things as neatly as possible, organizing everything comfortably for his trip, which was going to be a bit long. Sprout had calculated that he would reach his destination in about 6 hours, so he had plenty of time to think or do something to kill time.

Stopping his thoughts, he searched for the small bag his mother had given him, he was hungry, which was normal knowing that he didn’t have a decent breakfast, in fact, he didn’t even have breakfast at all. When he found the bag he didn’t hesitate for even a second and quickly pulled out a beautiful reddish apple to bring it to his mouth, just about to take a bite and....

"ring ring ring !!!"

Sprout’s phone suddenly began to ring and he had no choice but to take it out of his pocket, grumbling at having been interrupted, checking who was calling him, it was none other than one of his best friends, Astro. He answered as soon as he saw it was him.

"Hi! This is Sprout, what’s up,Astro?" He said cheerfully, doing his usual introduction phrase when someone calls him, expecting Astro to say something.

"Oh! Hi Sprout, I was calling to know if you were already on the train. Are you on board yet?" Asked Astro with his characteristic calm and soft voice, although there was a pinch of excitement in his tone.

"Of course I’m on board! But I’ll admit something... this trip is going to be so boring!!" Sprout admitted, complaining that he really didn’t have anything good to do until he reached his destination, finally biting his apple that he held in his other hand.

"I’m glad to hear that, me and Vee will welcome you as soon as you arrive at the Big City! And about what you mentioned... I don’t think it’ll be that boring... what if you decide to meet new people on that train until then? It would do you good to have more friends, Sprout."

He hummed gently, trying to encourage Sprout to step out of his comfort zone.

"No way! I’m terrible at doing that... I barely have you and Vee as friends, you’re asking too much!!" He complained clumsily while chewing a piece of his apple, clearly pouting.

"With that attitude you plan to come to the Big City, berryboy? You’re definitely a lost cause!!" Someone said through the phone who wasn’t Astro, the voice sounded firmer and more teasing.

"Whatever you say,Vee, anyway... how many times have I told you not to call me that!! You’re as irritating as always.." Sprout muttered before bursting into laughter, despite Vee’s attitude, they actually got along well.

"Vee!! Give me back the phone!" Was heard in the background while Vee began laughing "I have to hang up Sprout! I’ll call you later!! Take my advice, bye." Without anything else to say, a soft beep indicated the call had ended.

"Sure... I’m going to take that advice-" Sprout refuted, putting his phone away to focus again on his apple.

Hours passed —three, to be exact— Sprout had fallen asleep. The train kept moving normally until suddenly, without warning, a thundering braking sound echoed through the wagons. Sprout opened his eyes wide, confused by what was happening around him, the train had stopped at one of the last stations before reaching the Big City.

Many passengers began boarding the train, filling the wagons with the noise of luggage being stored, people talking and hurried footsteps.

Among all the commotion, a half-asleep Sprout rubbed his eyes and straightened up in his seat, observing around him how the seats that were previously empty were now occupied, all except the one beside him.

Sprout began to believe no one would take the seat next to him. With a relieved sigh he grabbed his suitcase and placed it again on the empty seat. Little did he know that seat had caught someone’s attention.

A young figure approached him and stopped in front of him, holding a flowery bag and a straw hat that covered his face.

"Excuse me.. Is this seat free?" Asked a soft and warm voice, tilting his head to the side.

Sprout took a few seconds to react, he looked at the seat next to him and then at the boy who was talking to him, he noticed how he lifted his straw hat to reveal his face, showing a friendly smile, he had cute flower-shaped freckles and striking emerald-colored eyes to match his outfit.

"Yes! Yes! yes… I mean- no… I mean…" Sprout cleared his throat before continuing to act like an idiot, removing his suitcase from the seat

"Yes, it’s free..."

The boy noticed Sprout’s clumsiness and simply let out a short laugh before sitting in the now empty seat.

Sprout awkwardly tried to look awake and somewhat presentable by adjusting his scarf, but only managed to get it a little tangled and the boy noticed.

"Everything okay?" He asked with a small smile, raising an eyebrow.

"Eh.. Yeah, yeah! just.." Sprout struggled to finish speaking "The train’s brake woke me up. I’m still a bit sleepy so forgive me for earlier..."

The boy simply let out a short laugh.

"It’s alright, there’s no need to apologize, I would also be just as disoriented as you if the same thing happened to me!" He hummed kindly toward Sprout.

"My name is Cosmo,and your name is..?" He tilted his head to one side while extending his hand.

"Sprout, call me Sprout.." Sprout said awkwardly, shaking Cosmo’s hand.

After that short introduction, the train started moving again, and in the process, a conversation between these two newly-met boys began to form.

Chapter Text

There were only about 30 minutes left for the train to arrive at the Big city. All the train’s wagons were in total silence, either because most of the passengers were exhausted or because the trip was too long, except for one,there was a wagon where you could hear a soft laugh and a friendly conversation between two people who had just met.

Sprout was chattering about how a hen had chased him all over the countryside where he came from while Cosmo could only hold back the urge to laugh, covering his mouth with his hand.

"Those hens had… something against me!! I can assure you they hate me for existing-" Grumbled Sprout, letting out a slight sigh before, after a few seconds, beginning to laugh awkwardly.

"Ha ha ha! Oh god… when I heard that sometimes hens could be aggressive. I never thought THIS much!" Cosmo burst into laughter, a pleasant laugh to hear.

He wiped a small tear that had escaped from laughing, tilting his head a little before continuing.

"Wow, Sprout. You’re a very funny person! I’m glad to have you as my seatmate on this train." He hummed playfully, drawing a smile on his face.

"Eh... Thank you for the compliment, although I don’t consider myself someone funny, unlike you, you’re quite kind." Commented Sprout, pocketing a friendly yet equally awkward smile, not used to receiving compliments but yes to giving them.

"Thank u! They always tell me that…, setting that topic aside, what is your reason for going to the Big city?" He asked with some curiosity, hoping not to meddle too much. "You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, it’s just curiosity."

"Well, I guess my reason for going is… " Sprout thought a bit before saying something, the question caught him off guard. "to find some excitement in my life, a change."

"Also to continue my parents’ family business, selling apples and natural juices, those things." He murmured just to give a quick smile, although it faded afterwards.

After answering, Sprout could only turn his gaze toward the window, as if what he had just said had made him doubt something. Cosmo noticed and didn’t want to insist; instead he just pocketed a soft laugh.

"That sounds pretty interesting!! It sounds calm…" Said Cosmo with a kind tone, placing the palms of his hands together. "In my case, I have a flower shop, it’s mine since recently."

Sprout lifted his gaze to focus on Cosmo upon hearing what he said.

"Actually, I’m going to the Big city to see it for the first time, someone I trust helped me buy the place where it will be, it’s too exciting!" A smile of pure happiness could be seen drawn on Cosmo’s face just by mentioning it.

"A flower shop?" He asked, blinking a little from the impression before smiling awkwardly. "It sounds really cute, maybe it will have a lot of success having such a kind owner in general !!"

Cosmo let out a short laugh at Sprout’s comment, grateful for the compliment.

"Ahww.. Thank u!!" He thanked a bit shyly, that compliment felt too sweet to him despite being used to them.

Suddenly, a sound coming from the train’s speakers began to play loudly, making Sprout and Cosmo pay attention.

“Good afternoon dear passengers, in 10 minutes we will arrive at the Big city”

“We ask you please to wake up and prepare for your departure”

“Don’t forget your suitcases, bags or luggage in general”

“Thank you for choosing the Dyle company train”

They announced from the speakers, the atmosphere changed drastically to a more bustling one, the other passengers began to wake up, sounds of suitcases and steps began to be heard.

"Ah! we are about to arrive, how exciting!!" Announced Cosmo as his eyes sparkled, placing his hands on the window to look outside.

Sprout for his part placed his hands on his knees with his head down, getting there was already a great achievement for him and it was making him a little nervous. Cosmo, upon turning to look at Sprout, noticed it.

"Hey Sprout, I liked you a lot, I’d like to give you something!" He hummed, searching for something quickly in his bag.

From that bag, Cosmo took out a beautiful dried flower that had the appearance of a vintage bookmark for books.

"This is for me? Thank you, it’s beautiful…" Sprout received the gift kindly, holding it in his hands as if it were a small treasure.

After receiving that small treasure, he put it carefully into the pocket of his pants.

"You don’t have to thank me,silly!! — Hummed Cosmo, closing his bag and placing it on his lap. "I like giving these types of things to people I like."

The sound of the train tracks screeched as the movement of the train slowed down, several passengers were already crowding at the exit, announcing that they had reached their destination.

"I suppose this is goodbye, it was a pleasure meeting you, Sprout." He extended his hand toward Sprout, waiting for him to accept the handshake.

"Likewise Cosmo, although, if you want we can leave together" He added, accepting the handshake, taking his other hand to his neck awkwardly while still being considerate.

"Oh,okay! Sounds good to me" Said Cosmo calmly.

The train stopped and all the passengers began to leave the train, among them, Sprout and Cosmo. Before getting off the train they looked at each other for a couple of seconds, as if they were going to say something else before leaving.

"I hope to see you again, Sprout" Whispered Cosmo, a sweet smile drawing on his face as he covered his face with his straw hat.

Upon getting off, Sprout looked back for a second searching for Cosmo but he had disappeared among the crowd, he quickly sighed, disappointed for some reason. When he looked forward again, Sprout’s eyes lit up: it was them, his friends Astro and Vee holding a silly sign that said “Welcome to the Big city” with a great variety of colors, made with markers and pencils.

Sprout let out a short laugh before running toward them to hug them, holding his briefcase tightly.

"I missed you too much,I finally get to see you again!!" His arms extended to hug them.

Astro and Vee surrounded him immediately, turning the greeting into a warm and comforting group hug.

"Oh c'm on! Don’t get sentimental now, Berryboy!!" Complained Vee between amused laughter.

"We missed you too,Sprout." Exclaimed Astro with great joy before pulling away from the group hug.

"By the way Sprout, who was that girl you got off the train with a moment ago?" Asked Vee with a mischievous smile that made it very clear he was only asking to tease.

"What? No,no, he’s not a girl… and I met him on the train, he’s someone really nice" He brought his hand to his neck, slightly uncomfortable because Vee misunderstood what Cosmo was.

"Wow… I didn’t know that- Sorry.." Vee apologized then cleared his throat before continuing. "Well, you followed Astro’s advice after all!"

"I really didn’t plan on following it, believe me, I’m just as surprised as you!" He let out short little laughs before continuing. "But I don’t regret it either."

Sprout was smiling happily before remembering something,he stayed silent for a few seconds before reacting.

"Shit! I forgot to ask for his number…" He cursed, turning again toward the train door as if Cosmo would magically appear there, although clearly that wasn’t going to happen.

"Ahw.. I would’ve liked to have him as a friend." Sprout sighed, lowering his head in defeat.

"Hey, don’t get discouraged, maybe you’ll meet again! Even though the city is big, that possibility is never lost." Said Astro with a calm tone of voice.

"Meanwhile we’re going to explore the city, like a tour! What do you say?" A playful smile formed on Astro’s face, giving Sprout pats on the back.

"Sounds good…" Murmured Sprout, adjusting his scarf.

"Berry boy has spoken! Let’s gOoOoo!!" Shouted Vee to grab Astro’s hand and drag him along with Sprout to the station exit.

"I already told you to stop calling me that!!" Protested Sprout before laughing along with Astro.

Between playful and amused laughter they walked away from the train station. It was official, Sprout’s life was about to change in the Big city, although he still didn’t know how, he would discover it somehow.

.