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Returning from a run can be the most relieving and exhausting part of living in an abandoned museum. By the time the toons get back it’s usually dark outside and way past their usual bedtime. Astro couldn’t wait to collapse into bed and surround himself with soft pillows, his fluffy blanket calling to him like a siren. It became a fleeting dream as he was grabbed by the shoulder and yanked back into the elevator. Everyone else had already left to their floors leaving only him…and Sprout.
Sweat formed in his palms as he clutched his blanket tightly. He knows their…relationship…has become rocky over the years, especially now since they’ve broken up over his association with Dandy. But something tells him this conversation will be more than just berating him about not being awake during runs.
Sprout would usually just ignore him or fuss over him when he was hurt. Well, he did get hurt during this run, but he already healed him. So what could Sprout possibly need to talk about at this hour? His dreams have been the same as always, baking and playing with Cosmo. Sometimes he would even dream about him. He makes sure to change it as fast as possible. It’s not like he’ll remember anyways.
The elevator number kept going all the way down until it reached one. The lobby floor. Every toon should be asleep by then on their own floors.
No one can hear their conversation.
Astro gulped. He tried to step back before being pushed out the elevator, his feet gliding against the cold floor as he tried to push back against Sprout’s hands. He tried to move to the side before hands landed on his shoulder, firmly stopping him from going back in as the door closed behind them.
The lobby was dark, cold, and empty. The only source of light was already obscured by the huge tree im the middle. He felt a small shiver up his spine as he felt the cold seep into his blanket. Sprout still didn’t let go of his shoulders. If anything it feels like he was slowly tightening his fingers into his skin. He tried to open his mouth, but decided to wait for the strawberry toon to speak. He didn’t want to say anything too carelessly like the last time they argued.
“I don’t get it.” Sprout muttered, his voice full of venom.
Astro’s eyebrow twitched. “…Get what?”
“We almost died today.” Sprout said as he tightened his fingers on his shoulders. “We almost died today because of Dandy, Astro.”
Astro bit his cheek. “He…he can’t help it. I should’ve bought something from the shop earlier.”
“There you go again. Always siding with him.” Sprout said he let go of Astro roughly, stepping back to fold his arms. “You know we could’ve died earlier. We already had so many twisteds to deal with on the floor and he was just the icing on top. We could’ve lost Ginger if it weren’t for Goob grabbing her into the elevator. But no, you keep making excuses for his behavior. All the time. Every day. Like clockwork.”
“Sprout, he’s just stressed out. He doesn’t want to kill us. This is Dandy we’re talking about. We grew up with him.”
“Oh great. Using the childhood friend card again. Is that gonna stop the fact that he’s this—this monster who attacks his friends when he doesn’t get his way? Hurting toons in the process that I have to heal? Huh? No! Of course it isn’t!”
Astro sighed, using his star to massage the middle of his brow. “He’s trying to save us. Maybe in unconventional ways. But we just need to trust hi-”
“Trust him?” Sprout laughed in disbelief. “When he won’t even tell us anything?”
“He doesn’t tell me everything too. How do think I feel?”
“It doesn’t matter what you feel!” Sprout shouted angrily, his voice bouncing off the walls. “He’s gonna get us all killed at the end! And you’re just letting him! What’s the point of “saving Gardenview” with this stupid operation if there’s no one left!”
“He’s trying okay! He’s really trying and you keep—pushing!” Astro yelled as he turned to face him, his eye widening at the sight of Sprout tearing up, his eyebrows furrowed.
“You could’ve died! He was one claw away and I—we almost lost you!” Sprout shouted angrily, tears running down his cheeks. “I can’t understand you. I really can’t. Even if he’s your best friend, you can’t—there’s no way you can justify his actions.”
Astro’s legs felt weak at that moment, almost crumpling to floor from his tearful expression. He’s always been weak when it came to Sprout. The small parts of his heart wanted to reach out and wipe away his tears, kiss his eyelids and tell him that everything will be okay. Give him the reassurances that he probably wanted to hear to soothe his nightmares that he’s had to take away every week.
But he couldn’t give him that.
Not when he’s a hypocrite himself.
“Sprout. If Cosmo caused an accident. Would you help him?” Astro asked, forcing a poker face as he stared at Sprout’s flushed face.
“Of course I would.” Sprout said without hesitation.
“Then why can’t you understand me?” Astro stepped forward. “I’m doing the same thing. Can’t you see that?”
Sprout shook his head. “This is different.”
Astro almost wanted to yell at him, biting down on his tongue as he swallowed his bitter words. “How is it different from what I’m doing?”
“Dandy is a genuine danger to us all.” Sprout said as he crossed his arms. “Cosmo isn’t.”
“Just imagine if he was. Would you still help him?”
“I—no I…” Sprout’s lips thinned as his eyes lowered.
“You’re not answering me.” Astro said as he walked towards Sprout. “Would you still help Cosmo? Or would you abandon him?”
“I—“ Sprout looked away, his eyebrows pinched together.
“Do you understand me?”
A silence stretched between them. Sprout's eyes shifted back and forth as he tried to think of an answer. Astro could feel himself grow tired the longer he was quiet, longing to just get this over with and sleep.
“He would never try to kill me.” Sprout finally answered, his voice quiet. “That’s the difference. You can’t just compare them when they’re too different from each other, Astro.”
“…I’m tired of this, just go to sleep.” Astro said with a quiet anger stirring within him as he moved past Sprout. “You’re not listening, so what’s the point.”
“Hey!” Sprout shouted as he grabbed the side of his arm. “I’m still talking! I just—“
“Sprout, if you can’t understand why I’m doing this…then just stop trying to talk to me. I’m not gonna stop talking to Dandy and you can’t make me.” Astro said as he ripped Sprout’s hand off his side with his star. “This conversation is over.”
“But—“
“Good night, Sprout.” He moved his star press the elevator button, biting his cheek from saying anything else unnecessary.
He stepped into the elevator as it opened, turning around to press the button again, his eye skimming through the numbers. He flinched when looked to the side to see Sprout staring at him, like he was still the world to him with those sad eyes. He wanted to close his eye so badly, block out that expression for good…but he could never really look away. Not when it was him.
“I miss you.” Sprout said, his voice weak as if it was stuck in his throat.
Astro clenched his teeth as he held back the tears that welled up within him, shaking his head as the elevator door closed. The lights only made him more nauseous as he covered himself with his blanket, sitting on the floor as he waited to get to his room. He couldn’t face Sprout tomorrow. Not like this.
He opted to just sleep in. He could make himself breakfast…but Sprout would still make him a separate dish in the fridge, right where he can see it. Whether it was a habit or not, he still showed consideration for him even when he was like…this. Astro curled into himself, his fingers digging into his skin as he tried to ground himself.
Sprout needs to give up on him. For both of their sakes.