Work Text:
Bassie never wanted to go on this run.
When she first saw she would be assigned a duo, she didn’t really mind.
It was when she saw it was with Cocoa.
Cocoa was always a threat to Bassie—The constant paranoia that she would be replaced ate at her on the daily. ‘It isn’t jealousy, it isn’t longing, it is annoyance.’ Those were the words that the basket would repeat in her head, convincing herself they were true.
”She isn’t good enough to replace me,” Bassie had said once, whispering to herself, “i’m good enough… i’m good enough…”
She had turned the wheel on the machine with more force, the cold red metal digging into her once-so-soft palms.
Cocoa wasn’t even in that specific run, Bassie just couldn’t shake the thoughts away.
Cocoa did care about her though
When the time for the duo run finally came around, Bassie walked to the elevator silently.
She didn’t hate Cocoa.
She just didn’t want to admit it. Didn’t want to face all the feelings that begged her to empathize, to feel with the chocolate bunny.
Bassie was supposed to hate her. But she didn’t, and that was the worst part.
Cocoa was still kind to her, even when Bassie tried to ignore her or say something rude.
Why did she never give up?
Why did she care?
She cared.
As the duo run progressed, Bassie limited communication as much as possible. Everytime Cocoa tried to say something, Bassie would avoid eye contact and pretend she couldn’t hear.
But it just made her feel guilt.
It took the two easter toons what felt like hours to finally make it to floor 14, one away from their set goal.
“Bassie… I know you don’t really want to talk but—“ Cocoa started but was cut off when the elevator opened and Bassie ran out.
It took the latter a moment to realize that twisted Astro and Sprout were both on this floor, which meant they had to both had to advance with caution. Double mains could be quite difficult to face, no matter which two it is.
Bassie was also out of heals since last floor with Twisted Pebble, so she was in a vulnerable state. As far as she knew Cocoa also used up her heals last floor.
It took her a moment to realize the bunny was behind her, staring up ahead at her shyly like she wanted to say something.
Bassie sighed before taking a deep breath, ”Cocoa, do you have any heals?” she asked with concern seeping into her tone.
Cocoa seemed slightly alarmed by this question. “N-No…” she stammered, looking down.
Bassie only nodded, continuing forward.
But when she heard a squeal right behind her, her head snapped around.
Cocoa was being chased by Twisted Sprout but luckily lost him. However, he had left a tendril right next to her, and she was getting really close to hitting it.
Too close for Bassie’s liking.
Left at one heart, she hadn’t thought before running to Cocoa, swiftly grabbing her paw and dragging her to safety.
Not before the deadly tendril hit her once, leaving Bassie with no strength left.
Cocoa, who still had a heart left stared wide-eyed at her, panting heavily.
“No…No…No…”
”Cocoa,” Bassie weakly said, “i’m… sorry.”
“Bassie…”
”I’ve never hated you… I just… I was scared, and I took that out on you.”
Cocoa had started to cry quietly, tears silently streaming down her face.
“No Bassie… Please… I love you,” she whispered quietly, only loud enough for Bassie to hear.
Bassie only smiled before closing her eyes, the ichor taking over her body quicker than before.
Cocoa stood up, running as fast as she could to finish all the machines. She knew how dangerous main twisteds were, and she couldn’t bare to see her once-best friend be turned into one.
If she had one wish, she would go back in time to save the toon she cared most about.
Bassie Bloomington.