Work Text:
It was late. Cosmo really should be asleep right now. But all he wants to do is see his best friend Sprout.
Cosmo wasn’t stupid. It was obvious how terrible his best friend has been doing lately. Cooking, baking with him, going on runs, healing, distracting, it’s all a lot at once. Plus whatever drama Sprout has going on with Dandy right now isn’t helping with the strawberry toons state either. Cosmo walks to the back of Sprout’s floor, past all the booths and kitchen utensils to the staff only door. A small smile finds its way onto his face as he stares at the door, knocking on the hardwood. After a bit of shuffling, the door is pushed slightly ajar, and Cosmo is greeted with Sprout’s pretty yellow eyes.
“Oh! Just you! You’re up late! It’s the middle of the night! Didja need me for somethin’?”
As Sprout speaks, he swings the door open more. He doesn’t have on his usual apron, Cosmo notices. Of course he wouldn’t, but it feels kinda weird seeing him without it. Sprout moves back, his usual big smile on his face as he gestures for Cosmo to come in. Cosmo speaks up as he enters. He takes a seat on Sprout’s bed.
“Nope! Just came to see you! I wanted to check up on you.”
“Check on me? Why? I’m fine. If you’re okay, I’m okay!”
Sprout raises a brow, a confused expression on his face. Cosmo’s smile falls into a blank expression. Sprout has absolutely terrible eyebags, his hairs a mess, and he’s been zoning out way more frequently. Sprout closes the door and sits at Cosmo’s side. Cosmo sighs at Sprout’s words. He’s getting really tired of hearing that. Sprout’s confusion makes way for concern.
“What’s wrong Cos?”
His voice is so soft and gentle and a small part of Cosmo doesn’t like that. Well, he does. He really does. Hearing that honey sweet tone from him, only reserved for quiet and intimate moments always makes his face flush and head spin. But it’s just worrying him that even after all that, Sprout is still trying to comfort him instead of being vulnerable himself.
“That’s kinda the problem with you. I don’t- I don’t really know how to explain it but, it’s like you never let yourself actually be upset about anything. You’re fine if everyone else is fine. If everyone’s upset, you’re not, because you’re comforting everyone. How does what I feel dictate your emotions? You’re so stressed, I can see it, but you just won’t open up to anyone! Even just now, your first thought of me being here is what you can do for me!”
As Cosmo rambles, Sprout sits there, calm and quiet. Cosmo doesn’t even know if he’s making any sense at this point. Sprout makes no attempt to explain or defend himself, which both reassures and concerns Cosmo. He’s not used to Sprout being this…subdued, but at least he’s listening?
“I’m so worried about you. You..you’re your own person, outside of a supporting role. But I don’t…think you really realize that.”
Cosmo’s rant comes to an end as he turns to Sprout. Sprout’s hands are in his lap as he fidgets with his fingers. He looks almost nervous. He stares at the ground, not meeting Cosmo’s gaze.
“..Did I upset you?”
A pang of guilt strikes Cosmo’s heart at the idea. Maybe he should have phrased everything better, instead of just saying whatever came to mind. Maybe he should have been softer. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything at all. To his relief, Sprout speaks up.
“..A little. It’s just because I know you’re right though. It just sucks being I’m sorry. I didn’t…mean to worry you so much. I don’t mean to worry anybody.”
Sprout raises his hand to pick at his lip. Cosmo’s heart sinks even further. He hates seeing Sprout upset. He wants nothing more than for Sprout to smile the large, carefree way he used to. He pulls Sprout’s hand away from his lip, putting it on the bed. Gently rubbing his knuckles, Cosmo starts again.
“I know you don’t, but you’re clearly not okay. You’re zoning out, your head and stomach damn near constantly hurt, you’re so tense all the time now, and unless you’re stuffing items in your mouth for tapes, you hardly eat!”
Cosmo can tell he’s getting loud. He’s not mad, he’s far far from mad. He couldn’t be angry at Sprout - especially when he sees his lip quiver. He hates how hard conversations can be. He hates how hard Sprout takes things even more. Sprout’s hands grip tightly onto the bedsheets.
“I’m sorry.”
Is all Sprout says. Cosmo moves forward, pulling Sprout into his arms. Sprout’s body is warm. Almost too warm, Cosmo notes. He can deal with that later. He moves his hand up and down Sprout’s back, trying to provide some sort of relief from the tension. Sprout’s hands tightly grab onto Cosmo’s hoodie. It’s almost like he thinks Cosmo will walk out if he doesn’t. Cosmo’s voice is soft and sweet as he speaks up, and Sprout curls into Cosmo more.
“It’s okay. I’m not mad. You don’t have to say sorry. I wouldn’t ever be mad at you for something like this. I’m sorry for upsetting you before…”
Sprout goes to say something, but Cosmo interrupts before he can.
“And I already know what you’re gonna say! You were gonna tell me not to feel bad, right? …Sprout, be honest with me this time. Are you okay?”
Cosmo doesn’t get a response after that. He keeps rubbing Sprout’s back. For comfort, but to also pry for an answer. It feels like hours before Sprout makes another sound, and when he does, it’s just a sob. Cosmo shifts, laying down with Sprout’s head resting on his chest. Sprout just keeps crying, wrapping his arms and legs around Cosmo like a child desperate to be held. Through his sniffles and sobs, Cosmo can just barely make out Sprout muttering “I don’t know”. Cosmo sighs. His heart’s going to be gone if things keep going like this.
“It’s okay..you’re gonna be fine. You can tell me anything.”
Sprout calms slightly at Cosmo’s reassurance, enough to lift up his head and stare at Cosmo. It’s so obvious how utterly horrible he’s feeling. His eyes are drooping from exhaustion, and his eyebags somehow look worse up close. Tears are streaming down his face. Cosmo’s concern grows tenfold when he realizes just how damn pale Sprout is. Cosmo moves a hand to cup Sprout’s cheek, brushing away some of his tears.
“Talk to me.”
Sprout sobs and starts muttering once more.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I can do this for much longer, Cos. And I feel so damn selfish for saying that! My legs hurt from walkin’ around so damn much but then I just think of how Goob or Looey feel and-”
Sprout gets cut off by a weep that almost sounds like some sort of gag. Cosmo sits up slightly, moving his hand back to Sprout’s back. Sprout continues on.
“I can’t- I can’t do it. Seeing everyone just die over and over no matter how hard I try makes me sick. I can see it no matter where I look! I know, I know, my ability is helpful and blah blah blah, but I can’t handle seeing the cracks on everybody’s hearts anymore. I try so hard to get to where they are and-”
He coughs.
“And then even after runs! I just have to suck it up and make breakfast! Make everyone lunch! Make everyone dinner! Fuck, I don’t even remember the last time I ate something real instead of a fuckin’ protein bar off the floor for a measly five fuckin’ tapes!”
Sprout’s muttering has turned to yelling. It’s not a worry that anyone will hear, so neither of them care. What Cosmo is afraid of however, is how distressed Sprout is growing.
“Hey, calm down a little. You’re gonna make yourself ill…”
Sprout nods and ducks his head back into Cosmo’s chest. Cosmo starts to play with Sprout’s hair. Slowly, Sprout stops crying. Though that doesn’t mean their problems are solved, far from it.
“...do you want toast?”
Cosmo offers. Sprout picks his head up again, dazed and confused.
“...huh?”
“Well, I mean- you said you haven’t eaten and a full meal probably isn’t good at this time of night so-!”
Sprout sits up, nodding. Cosmo smiles, getting off Sprout’s bed eagerly. He’s happy Sprout is letting him care for him for once.
“Okay! I’ll get it for you! Get comfortable, okay? I’ll get it for you, you can eat, and then I’m spending the night!”
Sprout nods, still clearly a little confused on how food came into this. He just watches as Cosmo rushes off out the door.
___________
Cosmo returns shortly after, plate in hand. The two sit in silence as Sprout eats, though it’s not awkward. Cosmo watches him closely. Sprout’s shoulders are shaky, his chest is still heaving, and his eyes are puffy and red. Watching a man in such emotional distress eating toast is almost a little funny at how ridiculous it is, but all Cosmo can think of is how pitiful his dear looks.
“You’re really pretty.”
Sprout freezes, toast hovering by his mouth. He looks over, a small smirk on his face. It’s hardly noticeable, but it’s better than the borderline hysterics he was in before.
“What’s up with you and saying weird shit out of nowhere tonight? Besides, I doubt I look gorgeous sobbing and eating toast.”
Cosmo just shrugs. Once Sprout finishes eating, Cosmo cleans up and lays on Sprout’s bed. He pulls Sprout close, starting to rub his head again.
“Go to sleep. You’re taking a day off tomorrow. Maybe more, actually…”
Cosmo knows something is still really wrong when instead of protesting, Sprout just cuddles up to him and falls asleep. He’s still so damn worried. There’s so much going on with Sprout and one good cry isn’t fixing that. He starts to run his fingers through Sprout’s hair, feeling Sprout’s tail curl around his leg.
“You’re okay. You’re fine. You’re always so worried for everyone’s health, so I’m gonna take care of yours for once, okay? Goodnight.”
Sprout doesn’t respond. He went out as soon as Cosmo told him to. He’s so unfathomably tired. Cosmo plants a small kiss to Sprout’s forehead before leaning back and closing his eyes himself.
He’ll make sure Sprout has a good day tomorrow.